The IEC has declared IFP the winner of the ward by-election in Umhlabuyalingana Local Municipality. Picure: Phando Jikelo
The ANC's renewal project in KwaZulu-Natal has been dealt a blow after its ward was snatched by the IFP in a by-election in Umhlabuyaliangana Local Municipality on Wednesday.
The ward in the north-east of the province was left vacant after the death of ANC ward councillor Gidla Mdletshe, which resulted in the by-election.
In the official results that were released by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa on Thursday, the electoral body announced that the ward was won by the IFP’s candidate Kwenzile Mthembu.
The ANC, which deployed its entire top five leadership during the campaign had vowed to retain the ward as part of its renewal programme. During its January 8 birthday celebrations in Pietermaritzburg two weeks ago, the ANC provincial leadership had announced that it will focus on winning by-elections.
Speaking on Tuesday after wrapping up the party campaign, ANC regional chairperson Simphile Mdaka had said he was adamant that the party would retain the ward, adding that by retaining it, the party will not only show it is regaining lost support but will also strengthen its bargaining power to negotiate for a takeover or coalition with the IFP in the municipality.
Mdaka said his party was in ongoing talks with the National Freedom Party leadership, whose councillor defied the party and voted with the IFP instead of working with the ANC.
He had said if the ANC retains the ward, it will be in a better position to negotiate for a power sharing deal because if the NFP councillor changes his mind and votes with the ANC, both his party and the IFP coalition would tie on 20 seats, forcing a new power-sharing agreement with the ANC and smaller parties or an agreement with the IFP.
With the win, the IFP has consolidated its power base within the municipality, something the party had said it wanted at all costs to thwart the ANC’s chances of forcing a power-sharing arrangement in the municipality.
Both parties were expected to issue statements reflecting on the results.
In the 39-seat council, the IFP now has 17 seats while ANC has dropped to 16, EFF two, DA, ACDP, NFP, and independent candidates have one each. The IFP controls the municipality by 21 seats now with the help of small parties while the EFF is in a coalition with the ANC that makes up 18 seats.
willem.phungula@inl.co.za