The African National Congress (ANC) has successfully defended its control of ward 23 in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, securing 63.6% of the vote in Wednesday’s by-election in Motherwell.

Celebrating the win on social media platform X, the ANC thanked voters for their support.

“The ANC thanks the people of Ward 23, our volunteers, activists and supporters for delivering this important by-election victory. The ANC lives. Renewal continues,” the party tweeted.

While the party retained the seat with a strong majority, the results signalled notable political shifts in the township, with both the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) registering significant gains.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, voter turnout for the by-election was 29%, indicating continued voter apathy in parts of the metro.

The ANC’s vote share fell from 76.3% in 2021 to 63.6%, a drop of nearly 13 percentage points, although the party still managed to win a comfortable two-thirds majority in a ward considered one of its strongholds.

The party garnered 1539 votes, keeping control of a seat that covers areas of Motherwell with longstanding ties to the ANC.

The EFF emerged as the biggest gainer, increasing its share of the vote from 12.8% in 2021 to 25%.

This follows a similar trend observed during the 2024 provincial elections, where the party achieved 20% in the same ward.

EFF officials hailed the result as a sign of growing support among urban voters in the Eastern Cape.

The party’s mobilisation efforts and high-visibility campaign in the lead-up to the by-election appear to have paid off.

The MKP, contesting the ward for the first time, made a modest but meaningful showing, capturing 9.5% of the vote.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) opted not to contest the by-election, continuing a trend of low participation in eastern townships where the party has historically struggled.

AZAPO, also on the ballot, managed only 1% of the vote, reflecting its limited organisational footprint in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Attention now shifts to the next round of by-elections scheduled for 20 August, where the ANC will be defending two wards in King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, covering Southernwood in Mthatha and in Knysna (Dam-Se-Bos Nekkies).

The DA, meanwhile, will defend a seat in Matzikama (Vanrhynsdorp) in the Western Cape.

Campaigning is already underway in King Sebata Dalindyebo ward 6, with EFF secretary-general Dlamini Marshall and other senior party leaders holding meetings with the sub-regional interim leadership, public representatives and ground teams.

EFF candidate Ntsikelelo Mzalisi will be contesting ward 6 in Mthatha, with voting set to take place at Transkei Primary School, Mthatha General Tent, Southernwood Community Hall and Southernwood School.

As South Africa moves further towards the local polls next year, all eyes will be on how the ANC, EFF and MK navigate shifting allegiances in an increasingly competitive local political landscape.

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Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is set to formally announce the disbursement of the Municipal Disaster Response and the Disaster Recovery Grant to provinces and municipalities across the country on Monday.

The allocations will support rapid relief and recovery measures in communities impacted by the latest weather disasters.

The intervention comes in as a result of a series of disruptive incidents which are formally recognised and declared as national disasters, in line with Section 23(3) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No.57 of 2002). They include the recent destructive floods in the Eastern Cape.

The money is being released under Section 25(3)(a) of the Division Revenue Act, 2023 (Act No.5 of 2023), as amended by the Division of Revenue Amendment Act, 2023(Act No. 24 of 2023).

“The announcement forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to ensure an adequate and timely response to the devastating weather events of April 2025, which significantly affected several provinces, most notably the Eastern Cape.

“In addition to addressing the damage caused by these events, the grants will support broader recovery interventions aimed at restoring essential services and the dignity of affected communities,” the department said in a statement.

The Eastern Cape was declared a national disaster zone following the widespread destruction, which resulted in the deaths of 102 people.

The department said that to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the funding, it would implement strict accountability mechanisms to guarantee that the allocated resources were used solely for their intended purposes.

“Monitoring and reporting frameworks will be enforced in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to uphold transparency and good governance,” it said.

The department said the intervention reflected the government’s commitment to moving from policy deliberation to decisive action and to building a resilient, responsive, and inclusive system of local governance that places the needs of communities at the centre of development.

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The Eastern Cape government has confirmed a devastating death toll of 101 people following the catastrophic flooding that struck the province earlier in the month.

Cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Zolile Williams has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and acknowledged the profound emotional toll the crisis has taken on both communities and government officials.

“Each announcement of a new fatality has been a painful burden on our hearts. This is a tragedy that has wounded the very soul of our province,” he told reporters on Thursday.

According to the latest figures, 38 children of who 32 were learners, have died.

The OR Tambo District accounts for the majority of the fatalities with 77 deaths, followed by Amathole (10), Alfred Nzo and Chris Hani (5 each), and two each in Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman.

A total of 94 bodies have been identified and handed over to families, while seven remain unidentified, with decomposing conditions requiring DNA testing.

At least 4724 people have been rendered homeless, and 6869 households affected, with 2145 homes partially damaged.

The youngest victim was a 12-month-old infant recovered in Mthatha.

Williams revealed that two children remained missing and are presumed to have been swept away in the floods.

The provincial government is working tirelessly with affected families, offering psychosocial, spiritual and logistical support, and ensuring dignified burials with the assistance of funeral service provider AVBOB, which has offered free services, including body storage and transportation.

Currently in the Immediate Response and Humanitarian Relief Phase, the provincial government is working with NGOs, civil society and the private sector to meet the basic needs of those affected.

Partnerships with Gift of the Givers, Al Imdaad Foundation, the Black Coffee Foundation, Asfraful Aid, Old Mutual and MTN have helped deliver food parcels, blankets, clothing and hygiene items to displaced families.

Williams appealed for continued public support, requesting donations of household goods, baby food, toiletries, sanitary items, clothing and basic furniture to support recovery efforts and prepare communities for resettlement.

In line with national disaster response protocols, the relief operation is being coordinated under the District Development Model and supported by the National Disaster Management Centre and Interministerial Committee on Disaster Management.

Efforts to restore electricity and water have seen notable progress, with over 95% of water supply and 80% of electricity restored in Amathole and OR Tambo Districts.

However, rebuilding infrastructure remains a mammoth task.

The total cost of infrastructure damage is estimated at R5.1 billion, with R3.2 billion needed across provincial departments, R1.8 billion for municipal infrastructure, and R461 million required for Temporary Residential Units. But only R120 million is available.

Government is sourcing additional support from national departments and donors to bridge the funding gap.

Emergency shelters, including community halls and bed-and-breakfast facilities, have been activated in OR Tambo and Mnquma to house displaced families.

Land has been identified for temporary and permanent housing in Mnquma and King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipalities, though social facilitation will be needed as some families may need to relocate permanently.

Floodwater caused widespread damage to roads, schools, clinics and hospitals, with 431 schools and 69 health facilities affected.

A total of R935 million is needed for road repairs, with R102 million already reprioritised from the provincial transport budget.

Twenty-nine roads in Chris Hani and 22 in OR Tambo remain impassable, while road repairs have begun using internal provincial resources.

In the health sector, over R600,000 worth of repairs have already been completed.

In education, learners who missed exams have since written catch-up papers on Monday, and the education department is distributing new learning materials, uniforms and support packs to affected schools.

The floods also wreaked havoc on agriculture, with 1339 livestock units lost, 1803 hectares of crops destroyed, and extensive damage to irrigation systems, water tanks, and fencing.

Williams confirmed that veterinary and technical support is being provided to affected farmers, alongside damage assessments to guide future recovery programmes.

The national government has officially declared a National Disaster under the Disaster Management Act of 2002, unlocking further national and international support for infrastructure rehabilitation and disaster relief across the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Acknowledging public concern over potential misuse of funds, Williams reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to transparent and accountable financial management.

“We are committed to ensuring financial accountability, with stringent internal controls and risk mitigation systems in place,” he said.

He urged media houses to exercise restraint when reporting body counts, explaining that identification protocols require forensic confirmation before a body is officially included in the death toll.

The province remains on high alert as additional severe weather is forecast in the days ahead, with strong winds and worsening conditions expected in some parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

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The death toll from the devastating floods that struck the Eastern Cape has risen to 78, with dozens still missing as rescue operations continue across affected areas.

The torrential rains that began earlier this week have left a trail of destruction, including the death of 13 school children who died after a minibus taxi was swept off the R61 bridge near Mthatha.

While some bodies have since been recovered, search teams are still combing riverbanks and fields for at least four missing learners.

Gift of the Givers and local search-and-rescue teams are now working with emergency personnel deployed from Gqeberha, East London and the Chris Hani District.

Heavily affected areas such as Decoligny village and Joe Slovo township remain under intensive surveillance as weather warnings persist for continued rain, strong winds and plummeting temperatures.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni addressed the media on Thursday, following the Cabinet meeting, announcing national coordination efforts to support provincial disaster management teams.

“Cabinet extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during flooding across various areas in the Eastern Cape. Government is coordinating rescue and support operations through both the national and provincial disaster management centres,” Ntshavheni said.

She urged the public to remain alert, warning of more inclement weather to come.

“Cabinet cautions everyone to be vigilant over the next few days due to the expected extreme weather conditions. This could include drops in temperature, snowfall, strong winds and heavy rain,” she said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit the flood-stricken Mthatha region on Friday, following those of Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who both joined provincial leaders in surveying the damage.

Hlabisa confirmed that 57 deaths had been recorded from three main hotspots, with over 2000 people displaced.

He stressed the urgency of declaring the Eastern Cape a disaster area to unlock emergency funding and fast-track relief.

“Fifty-seven is not just a figure, these are human beings—breadwinners, children, parents. We must respond with urgency and compassion,” Hlabisa said.

The disaster has significantly disrupted the education sector.

According to Gwarube, 6038 learners have been displaced, and 58 schools have reported infrastructure damage.

“Many of these children were preparing for mid-year exams. We’ve postponed the two papers that were scheduled, but contingency plans must be finalised quickly. We cannot let this disaster derail their education completely,” Gwarube said.

She also highlighted the emotional toll the disaster has had on the survivors, especially young children.

“One child clung to a tree while her friend was swept away. These are scars that won’t heal quickly. Psychosocial support for survivors must be prioritised,” she said.

Premier Oscar Mabuyane called the situation “terrible,” noting that floodwaters reached up to four meters high in some areas.

He admitted that initial rescue efforts were hampered due to limited resources.

Basic services have also collapsed in several areas, with power outages and disrupted water supply compounding the crisis.

The national and provincial government is working urgently to restore electricity, water and road access.

The African National Congress extended its condolences to communities affected by the floods, acknowledging the grief of those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri praised emergency responders and volunteers for their swift actions.

“We commend the efforts of emergency personnel, disaster management teams and community volunteers. Their immediate interventions have undoubtedly saved lives and brought hope to many amid great difficulty,” she said.

The spokesperson urged all spheres of government to accelerate humanitarian aid, including temporary shelter, food, medical assistance and the restoration of essential services.

She also called for long-term investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness in light of increasingly severe weather due to climate change.

Authorities have urged citizens to follow local weather alerts, avoid crossing flooded roads and postpone travel if possible.

Families have started gathering at the local mortuary in Mthatha to identify their loved ones. 

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An intensive police awareness campaign against sexual offences-related crimes has yielded positive results with a decline in the number of sexual offences registered in the country. 

According to the quarterly crime statistics, reflecting on crimes that occurred between 01 October 2023 to 31 December 2023, sexual offences crimes, including rape, sexual assault and contact sexual offences, registered an overall 1.7% decline during the period.

Presenting the crime stats on Friday, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, said rape declined by 1.7% with six provinces, including Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, all registering a decline in this crime category.

The report also showed that more than 2 400 suspect raids led to 4 264 suspects being arrested for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide-related (GBVF) crimes, including rape and sexual assault. 

A total of 112 life sentences were handed down to 89 rapists, while 64 rapists and GBVF perpetrators were each sentenced to 20 years and above imprisonment.

One-hundred-and-seventy-two rapists and GBVF perpetrators were sentenced 10 to 19 years imprisonment, and 1 to 9 years imprisonment were handed down to 261 rapists and GBVF perpetrators.

Cele noted that the fight against GBVF crimes remains a priority for the men and women in blue.

More awareness programs are being conducted by the department’s social crime prevention and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), which translates to an increase in the reporting of these crimes.

“What is most encouraging is that Inanda – which has always been known as the rape capital of the country – has also seen a slight reduction in the number of rape cases by registering 20 counts less than the same period under review. This goes to show that our FCS teams are proving to be acting decisively against those who are perpetrating rape crimes,” Cele said.

However, he said it is of great concern that the majority of rape cases were committed at the victims’ residences.

The report highlighted a significant progress in the finalisation rate of DNA cases and the eradication of the historic DNA backlog, currently standing at zero, from 251 000 in the 2021/2022 financial year. 

Cele said the expansion of the DNA lab in Gqerberha, Eastern Cape,  opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2023, has contributed immensely to the processing of more DNA samples in the country. 

“All these efforts have contributed positively to the SAPS fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide cases. For example, the NPA and SAPS project has led to more than 40 000 DNA forensic reports being finalised to ensure that cases of GBVF are prioritised,” Cele said. 

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Eastern Cape police made a huge breakthrough on Thursday when they arrested five people in connection with a mass shooting that took the lives of six people in Kariega’s KwaNobuhle on Tuesday night.

The arrests came after five suspects entered a Mdledle Street home in KwaNobuhle and started opening fire on people in the front yard and inside the house on Tuesday night, Six people died on the spot and four were badly injured in what is alleged to be a drug- related turf war

Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said the five people from the ages 21 to 34 are in police custody charged with six murders and four attempted murders.

Police identified the victims as Siyabonga Williams, 24, Sinovuyo Nene, 24, Mzuvukile Grootboom, 33, Siyamthanda Vena, 27, Siyanda Luther Mlilwana, 29, and the 17-year-old Sivenathi Mxaku.

Mene described the arrest as an excellent breakthrough and praised the police’s task team for quickly finding and arresting the five people.

The suspects are expected to appear in the KwaNobuhle Magistrate’s Court soon, police said.

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Eastern Cape residents urged to continue using water sparingly as the Department of Water and Sanitation raises concerns on low water levels in the Algoa supply system.

The Department of Water and Sanitation in Eastern Cape has urged residents in the province to continue using water sparingly even as the overall water storage capacity remains above average.

There was a minimal water capacity decrease from last week’s 78.5% to this week’s 78.0% a report from the department on weekly dam levels has shown.

Despite the above average levels, the Algoa Water Supply System (the System has minimally increased from 18.9% to 20.%) remains a serious problem for the department as it has remained consistently low, affecting the provision of water supply in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

Kouga Dam is at 22.3% from 19.2%, Impofu Dam on the Krom River has emptied at 6.9% while Kromrivier Dam is also at a low 32.6% from last week’s 29.6%.

Loerie Dam has decreased from 101.2% last week to 95.7% this week and Inqweba Dam is at 36.3% this week compared to 36.6% last week.

Meanwhile, other water supply systems are in a better position as compared to the Algoa Water Supply System.

The Amathole Water Supply System with dams serving Buffalo City Metro is above average, although recording a decrease from 101.6% last week to 100.8% this week.

Nahoon Dam which gets water from the Amathole System is at 99.3% from 99.9%, Bridle Drift Dam is above average at 101.6% from last week’s 102.5% and Rooikrans Dam has increased from 98.9% to 99.5%.

The Klipplaat Water Supply System with dams supplying Komani and surrounding villages remains unchanged at last week’s 100.2%.

Macubeni Dam is sitting at 100%, Xonxa Dam also full at 100.5% and Waterdown Dam providing water to Whittlesea township is sitting at 100.3% this week.

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National Council of Provinces Chairperson (NCOP) Amos Masondo, said the forum is currently assessing outstanding projects from the sixth administration so as to lay a firm foundation for the seventh administration to hit the ground running after the general elections next year.

He said the forum seeks to synergise the work of both the national and provincial legislatures to ensure collaboration and coordination within the sector.

Masondo is co-chairing the meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula, who urged the 10 legislatures to have a common voice on the country’s position on current geopolitical dynamics in their respective international multilateral engagements. 

She said the discussions and commitments of the legislative sector may have serious implications on the country’s diplomatic policies and posture.

As part of strengthening the sector’s impact, the forum resolved to officially register the Legislative Employer’s Organisation to facilitate a collective bargaining process for the sector, and to ensure uniformity in the conditions of employment and service.

Also addressing the session, Mapisa-Ngqakula said the sector needs to accelerate the execution of the key projects to enable the 6th Parliament to conclude on a high note while setting a higher bar as a new foundation for the seventh Parliament.

The forum also engaged the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to explore modalities concerning the possibility of reconfiguring the seat allocation within legislatures. 

A similar exercise was last performed in 1999 and needs reconfiguration considering the growth of population and other factors.

The Speakers’ Forum meets quarterly to concretise numerous measures aimed at heightening cooperation, coordination, and alignment of work across the country’s 10 legislatures as well as at local government level. 

Speakers and deputy Speakers of the nine provincial legislatures are members of the National Speakers’ Forum, while the Provincial Speakers’ Forums that include local governments get convened by Provincial Legislature Speakers.

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Faku, formerly a deputy mayor, was elected following the decision of the ANC in the Eastern Cape to recall the then mayor Xola Pakathi who eventually resigned on Monday.

A Special Council Meeting of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Council was held on Thursday in the Auditorium, City Hall, East London.

ANC supporters packed the hall in anticipation of Faku’s victory.

The opposition DA nominated Susan Bentley as their candidate for the mayoral position. 

As expected, Faku easily won the election because the ANC had a majority in the metro with 62 votes against 22 for Bentley.

Faku takes over a municipality that is riddled with service delivery challenges and a problematic billing system. 

In her speech, she has promised to bring about improvements in the metro as a matter of urgency.

Faku will announce her mayoral committee soon. 

Political Analyst Bheki Mngomezulu said like many other municipalities across the country, Buffalo City Metro has had its fair share of challenges.

“The mandate given to this municipality includes, but is not limited to, economic development, job creation, social development and ensuring that the community participates in all its activities.”

“The reality is that many services are still lagging behind. For example, water and electricity supply remain a challenge to many communities. The issues of sanitation, housing and road infrastructure still remain unresolved. As concerns around these service delivery areas mount, conflict becomes inevitable,” he said. 

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The explosion led to an electricity blackout of surrounding areas within Motherwell including 15 Coega IDZ (Industrial Development Zone) customers.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality held an emergency JOC meeting, to trigger swift action to circumvent the impact of the explosion and get into the bottom of what might have caused it.

“Following the JOC meeting, a full independent investigation into the causes of the explosion has been launched as there is a suspicion of foul play. Today, the Municipality will be meeting the CDC and affected businesses to develop a solution that will mitigate adverse impact of the constrained electricity supply,” Odendaal said.

The damage to the substation infrastructure is estimated to be more than R40 million.

As a short-term electricity solution, and to circumvent further negative impact on customers and residents, plans are currently underway to back-feed and restore electricity supply from another substation also within the Coega IDZ.

On a medium-term, a line will be constructed to reconnect the affected residents and IDZ customers from a nearby substation, while construction work continues.

Odendaal said a contractor is already on site to restore electricity on the short to medium term. Security is currently being re-inforced to protect critical strategic infrastructure.

“Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and work together with the Municipality and law enforcement agencies to curb vandalism and criminality targeted at Municipal infrastructure that provide basic services to our community,” he said.

He said that the Municipality would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the unexpected outage: “We are working hard to restore power to the affected residents and businesses.”

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