DA registers runaway win in Bitou by-election

THE DA’s Wayne Craig won an overwhelming victory in the Bitou Municipality Ward 2 by-election, securing 2 060 votes against the 190 of independent candidate Francois Geldenhuys.

By-elections were held in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

Craig said the party’s excellent support base and infrastructure resulted in the victory.

He said he would ensure effective communication and accountability to all the people of Bitou during his term.

DA constituency chairwoman Liz Mundell said the victory meant the DA-COPE coalition retained control of the council. “Things can go forward again,” she added.

The by-election was mired in controversy when the independent candidate lodged misconduct charges against the DA with the Electoral Court.

Geldenhuys said the DA claimed during its election campaign that he was not an independent candidate but aligned to the ANC, which he vehemently denied.

The court ruled on Tuesday evening that it had no jurisdiction to hear complaints of campaign violations in the absence of a ruling by the Independent Electoral Commission.

Geldenhuys said yesterday he now wanted to focus on fixing the damage to his reputation by the lies told about him during the campaign.

His legal adviser intimated that a decision was pending on a possible high court challenge.