ANC retains Ward 8 seat in Knysna

The writing is on the wall for the DA. Nothing they can do will stop the bleeding of support as their divisions deepen and they continue to fail the people

THE ANC has retained its Ward 8 seat in Knysna following a hotly-contested by-election earlier this week.

This as the DA also retained its Ward 3 seat in De Doorns.

The DA said they were encouraged by their victory in De Doorns.

The party’s candidate, Luwellyn Willemse, won the contested by-election in the Breede Valley Municipality, obtaining 1 101 votes.

DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said: “This result is an indication that more and more South Africans have faith in the DA and are rejecting the corrupt ANC and EFF coalition.

“The DA would like to thank all the voters of De Doorns for entrusting us with their support.

“We are confident that the people have chosen a strong candidate in Luwellyn Willemse, who carries the concerns of the De Doorns community close to his heart.

“Willemse has also proven that he is willing and able to take up the fight of the community to ensure that the community of De Doorns’ concerns are addressed and that good service delivery remains a top priority.”

About the victory in Knysna, ANC provincial head of elections Ebrahim Rasool said: “The ANC overwhelmingly won the by-election, increasing its majority to 84%.

“The DA lost, dropping 3% to secure only 13% of the votes.

“Last year, the ANC took two wards from the DA – Ward 11 in George and Ward 5 in Bergrivier.

“It’s clear that, slowly but surely, the ANC’s call for unity and renewal is striking a chord with voters, while the DA’s internal divisions are causing voters to lose faith in them.”

He commended the scores of activists and leaders who worked in De Doorns.

“We came within only 111 votes from taking this ward from the DA.

“Through unity and renewal and hard work on the ground, we will ensure that the momentum shift towards the ANC continues in the remaining by-elections in 2018.

“This will lay a solid basis for 2019. The writing is on the wall for the DA.

“Nothing they can do will stop the bleeding of support as their divisions deepen and they continue to fail the people of the Western Cape,” Rasool added.