ANC vows to regroup after loss, sees by-election as test for 2026 local elections
EMALAHLENI – The Democratic Alliance (DA) maintained dominance in eMalahleni’s Ward 24 in a tight by-elections contest held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
The party wrestled against the African National Congress (ANC) to retain the seat it won in the 2021 local government elections.
The DA achieved 88.52% of the total votes cast compared to 60.25% during the 2021 local government elections, making Karie McDiarmid the new Ward Councilor.
The by-elections follow resignation of the then Ward Councillor Gavin Gates for “personal reasons”.
The DA has always maintained a strong presence in the ward and its followers believe that the party has the experience to continue improving service delivery.
“These results are an indication that the DA is the only political party that can make a difference in terms of service delivery,” said Anna-Marie Coetzee, resident.
Still licking wounds, ANC candidate Abram Maphoso told the paper the results do not mean they have lost, but a litmus test for their performance in the coming municipal elections.
“As the ANC we believe that we can use the results of these election as a tool to focus on the upcoming local elections in 2026,” he said.
“We are confident that residents can still make the right choice instead of voting with their hearts.”
The DA also retained Ward 7 in the by-elections that took place on the same day in Ermelo, Msukaligwa municipality.
Their support increased by 11% from the 41% obtained in the 2024 provincial elections.
Doctor Jacob Scholtz is the party’s new Ward 7 councillor.
DA Mpumalanga leader Jane Sithole said the results indicate that voter confidence in the ability of the DA to get things done continues to increase in towns and cities across the Mpumalanga province. “It is the DA’s track record of honest, transparent and people-centred governance that South Africans want wherever they reside,” she said.
“The DA will continue to work tirelessly in Ward 7 and Ward 24, and across the entire province. We wish our newly elected Ward Cllrs the greatest success.”
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has praised the smooth conduct of the by-elections, noting a significant voter turnout compared to previous by-elections in the region. Officials also ensured that all polling stations adhered to voting regulations, including provisions for disabled and elderly voters.
