ANC dominant in Eastern Cape, DA, EFF far behind

CAPE TOWN – The ANC is flexing its muscles in the Eastern Cape, flying high with nearly 70 per cent of the province’s municipal election vote despite decades of service delivery failures in crumbling towns where the taps will soon run dry.

Last night, the ANC had won four councils and secured 218 council seats across the province. At the same time, it was leading in nine councils which are considered stronghold areas.

Most notably, it led the race for the crucial Nelson Mandela Bay Metro with 42 per cent of the vote.

For most of yesterday, the DA was behind the ANC, with 37 per cent of the vote in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro . The EFF, which could become a kingmaker for a coalition government, was steady at 7 per cent of the vote. At the time, 61 per cent of the province’s votes were counted.

The ANC is set to win all district municipalities in the province, including the Buffalo City metro, where it led with 69 per cent of the vote.

In the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, the ANC was ahead in the race with 61 per cent of the vote.

Recently, the municipality was slammed for the construction and unveiling of a controversial R15 million sports field.

Ablution

Lessyton Sport Field in Komani has no working ablution facilities and electricity, while its grass athletic track is marked with fading white paint. It also has removable roofless metal stands for spectators.

Scores of people questioned its hefty price tag.

The ANC enjoys steady support in the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality, where early results showed it received 16 913 votes to secure four seats.

By yesterday evening, the DA was second, with two seats from the 13 771 votes it received.

The ANC has held onto its majority in the Blue Crane Route Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

It got 56.3 per cent of the vote, the DA 37.1 per cent, and EFF 6.2 per cent. There are 11 available seats in Blue Crane Route Municipal council with the ANC winning six wards, the DA has four seats in the bag, and one will be allocated to the EFF.

ANC provincial elections head Mziwonke Ndabeni, said while the party’s support is strong, the cherry on top of the cake would be a victory in Nelson Mandela Bay.

“We are happy with the support we have received from the people of the Eastern Cape. We have won almost all municipalities in the Eastern Cape.