By-elections: ANC strengthens grip as PA scores breakthrough Upington ward win

Johnathan Paoli

The ANC has tightened its grip on key municipalities in the Northern Cape and North West, while the PA delivered a breakthrough performance by winning a DA-held ward in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality.

In by-elections held on Wednesday, the ANC retained Ward 20 in Kanana South, Orkney, in the Matlosana Local Municipality with 81.03% of the vote, up from 72.01% in the 2021 local government elections.

The party’s new councillor is Fortunate Lehlohonolo Mahogen.

The PA emerged as the official runner-up with 11%, ahead of the EFF, which slumped to 8% from 18% in 2021.

The by-election followed the death of ANC councillor Molefi Sello, who was killed after an altercation outside a tavern earlier this year.

The result confirmed the ANC’s continued dominance in the gold-mining region surrounding Orkney and Klerksdorp, despite a slight drop in turnout from 39% in 2021 to 33.71%.

The PA, however,