ANC in NC Province wins two ‘fiercely-contested’ by-elections
THE ANC won the by-elections that were held in the Nama Khoi and Ga-segonyana municipalities in the Northern Cape on Wednesday.
ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga said the ANC received a majority of 54.26 percent, or 1 012 votes, in ward 2 in Nama Khoi.
“In Ga-segonyana Municipality the ANC received 1 329 votes, which represents 80.94 percent of the total votes that were cast.
“Both by-elections were fiercely contested by political parties, but the electorate came out in their numbers to ensure an overwhelming victory for the ANC in the respective wards,” said Ngxanga.
He acknowledged that the ANC still needed to improve on the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“The results are evident that the ANC remains the only beacon of hope for the people of the Northern Cape. The electorate has placed their confidence and hope in the ANC to improve their lives and improve their living conditions. We remain steadfast in our commitment, with the support of the electorate, that we will achieve economic freedom in our lifetime,” said Ngxanga.
DA provincial leader Harold Mcgluwa said they were satisfied with the party’s performance in the Nama Khoi by-election.
“We are, however, disappointed in the community’s failure to hold the ruling party to account for its service delivery failures in Rooiwal, Steinkopf and Vioolsdrift,” said Mcgluwa.
“The DA stabilised support for the party in the Northern Cape, with slight growth compared with votes won during the 2016 local government elections.”
Mcgluwa said that he had noted a growing dissatisfaction regarding service delivery during community engagements.
“If residents are still unhappy about the state of water, housing, sanitation, community safety, lighting and job creation projects, they have the right to demand better services. It is high time that the people of the Northern Cape realise that they should take their protests to the polls instead of the streets.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has meanwhile announced that the local government elections will take place on Wednesday, October 27.
Acting spokesperson to the president, Tyrone Seale, said that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs would follow the necessary legal process to proclaim the date and undertake other requirements.
“The president urges eligible – and especially first-time voters – to ensure they are registered to participate in the elections which provide the basis for development and service delivery closest to where citizens live.”