The DA secured its grip on Beaufort West in the Western Cape after the party attained 56.9% of the vote in a by-election on Wednesday.
The troubled district and the oldest municipality in SA‚ once an ANC stronghold‚ was snatched up by the DA in the 2016 local government elections.
Former Beaufort West mayor Truman Prince at the time blamed "bad weather" for the ANC's defeat‚ but clear skies on Wednesday apparently brought out 660 more voters in favour of the DA.
- DA willing to work with anyone willing to remove ANCDemocratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane has reiterated the party’s stance that it is willing to work with anyone who shares its broad values and is willing to work towards the removal of the ANC.
DA Western Cape acting leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said the result was "an endorsement of the DA's brand of good governance".
"Voters recognise that only the DA continues to deliver better services‚ cut corruption and create jobs‚" he said.
"In absolute vote terms‚ over 660 more voters chose to vote DA in this ward yesterday‚ over our tally in 2016. This surge in support for the DA is very encouraging‚" said Madikizela.
- Prince of the Karoo accused of assaulting DA rivalThe former ANC mayor of Beaufort West‚ Truman Prince‚ has again been accused of brawling with a political rival.
"By-election after by-election voters continue to shift toward the DA‚ and this bodes very well for the run-up to Election 2019‚" he said.
He said they would put all efforts into "turning around the municipality" together with their coalition partner‚ the Karoo Democratic Force.
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