It is one step forward, one step back for the the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal after the party suffered a blow in the Umhlabuyalingana Municipality in the latest round of by-elections, racking up another electoral loss in the province after the disaster of 29 May 2024.
On 12 February, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) took a seat previously held by the ANC after Kwenzile Bongumusa Mtembu came out victorious in ward 15.
“The party [IFP] won a seat previously held by the ANC in the 2021 Municipal Elections, with 48.24% of the total votes cast, compared to 55.66% during the 2021 Municipal Elections. Voter turnout was 59.80%,” the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced in a statement.
The loss of the ward in Umhlabuyalingana is a setback for the liberation party in the province, after it closed 2024 with a bang by winning the December by-elections in ward 2, in Msunduzi Municipality. This loss won’t bode well for the ANC ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with some commentators predicting further declines in support.
However, the biggest loss on Wednesday in Umhlabuyalingana was incurred by the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
During the national and provincial elections in 2024, the MK Party – which bagged KwaZulu-Natal with 45.35% of the provincial vote – won 54% of the vote in this region.
But on Wednesday, the party came in with a paltry 19% of the vote.
Not all doom for the ANC in latest by-elections
However, Wednesday was not a completely dismal day for the ANC.
The party managed to retain ward 10 in the Matatiele Municipality in the Eastern Cape, with Gideon Mvuyisi Masela coming out tops.
“The party [ANC] retained the seat it won in the 2021 Municipal Elections, with 76.18%% of the total votes cast, compared to 64.12% during the 2021 Municipal Elections. Voter turnout was 48.47%,” said the IEC.
The ANC in the Eastern Cape welcomed the results, express its gratitude with the residents of ward 10.
“This success reflects the trust and confidence the people have in the ANC’s commitment to renewal and progress. The ANC lives, the ANC leads,” the provincial body said on X (Twitter).
First by-elections of 2025
Last month, the ANC won the first municipal ward by-elections of 2025.
The by-elections were held in ward 24 in the Bushbuckridge Municipality, in Mpumalanga, on 15 January 2025.
The party retained the seat it won in the 2021 local government elections.
How do you think the ANC will perform at the 2026 local government elections?
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