The NFP got 368 votes while the EFF - which has battled to make significant inroads in rural KZN - got just 38 votes.
Ward 7 became vacant in December‚ when councillor Mbhekiseni “Pat” Khumalo was shot dead at his house by assassins pretending to be residents in need of assistance.
Taking to Facebook shortly before midnight on Wednesday‚ ANC KZN spokesman Mdumiseni Ntuli said: "Let resign to my bed now that the ANC registered a resounding victory in Phongolo by-elections. Long live the African National Congress!!!"
The win was important not just because it showed a rural rebound in the wake of Nquthu‚ but also because it ensured the ANC retained control of the municipality.
Had the IFP won‚ a coalition might have been enough to wrestle control away from the ANC.
-TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.