By Johnathan Paoli
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has tightened its hold on Ward 11 in Malmesbury Wesbank, Swartland Municipality, securing a decisive victory in the final currently scheduled Western Cape by-election before the upcoming local government elections.
The party won 53.26% of the vote in Wednesday’s contest, increasing its support from the previous by-election and comfortably retaining a ward it had captured last year.
The DA finished second on 42%, while the ANC slipped to 4%. The TRUTH party received less than 1% of the vote.
Voter turnout rose to 58.15%, a significant increase from the 48% recorded in the previous by-election and a figure that almost matched turnout levels seen during the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The by-election followed the vacancy created by the departure of the previous PA ward councillor, Dihno White, while Moos Jaanse, who previously contested the ward as an independent, stood under the DA banner.
The result is being viewed as an important victory for the PA in an area long regarded as part of the DA’s historic Western Cape stronghold.
The party not only retained the ward but expanded its majority, reinforcing its growing presence in municipalities across the province ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
On social media, the PA described the victory as a strong finish to the province’s by-election calendar.
“Ward 11 Swartland was the last by-election in the Western Cape Province and we ended it off on a high note,” the party said.
The PA congratulated its successful candidate, Councillor Raymond Mains, and thanked volunteers and supporters who participated in the campaign.
“Congratulations to Cllr Raymond Mains and every patriot who worked tirelessly on the ground. This victory belongs to every volunteer, leader, supporter, and community member who believed in the movement,” the party posted.
The party said it would now shift its focus towards the local government elections scheduled for 4 November.
Mains also expressed gratitude to voters following the result.
“Dankie aan elke voter wat hul kruisie getrek het vir die Patriotic Alliance en by my naam. Stay Blessed julle is awesome [Thank you to every voter that made their mark for the PA and next to my name],” he said.
“You give me hope to not look back want julle het nie laat die DA jul kop vrot met hul leuns en vuil persoonlike politiek nie [because you did not let the DA rot your heads with their lies and personal politics],” he added.
While the DA retained a substantial share of the vote, the PA’s increased majority and strong turnout suggest the party is continuing to build organisational strength in communities where it has established a foothold.
Attention will now shift to Buffalo City, where by-elections are scheduled for next week Wednesday in Ward 1, Duncan Village Pefferville, and Ward 10, Braelyn East Bank.
The contests, triggered by the defection of two ANC ward councillors to the PA, will be the final currently scheduled metropolitan and Eastern Cape by-elections before the local government elections in November.
