MK Party secures another significant by-election victory in KwaZulu-Natal
Former president and current leader of uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Jacob Zuma is a happy man after his party won Ward 18 in Mandeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
THE uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) continues to tighten its grip on KwaZulu-Natal politics by winning a critical by-election in Ward 18, Mandeni.
The result further dents the ANC’s waning dominance in the province and nationally.
MKP candidate Lindani Xhakaza emerged victorious in Wednesday’s fiercely contested by-election, after securing 42% of votes.
The IFP came second with 30%, while the ANC, which previously governed the ward, plummeted to 27%, which was a dramatic fall from the 66% it received in the 2021 local government elections.
Once again, the EFF fared poorly, drawing only 1% of the vote, a decline from its previous 14%.
The MKP’s latest triumph adds to its growing popularity, while the ANC continues to battle dwindling electoral fortunes.
The four candidates who contested the by-election in Ward 18 in Mandeni on Wednesday.
Image: Facebook
The MKP, led by former president Jacob Zuma, recently clinched victories in Ward 28 in KwaDukuza and Ward 110 in eThekwini, and previously stunned the ANC in Richmond's Ward 2.
Since its formation in December 2023, the MKP now controls six wards – five in KwaZulu-Natal and one in the North West.
The Mandeni by-election was triggered by the death of ANC councillor Phendukani Mabhida earlier this year.
The high-stakes race saw major political heavyweights descend on the northern KZN ward. MKP leaders Bongani Baloyi and its deputy leader John Hlophe, IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa, and ANC provincial figures were all on the ground campaigning ahead of voting.
The MKP’s victory is set to boost its election campaign ahead of next year’s local government elections – where the party is eyeing the key municipalities – including eThekwini, the only metro in KZN, boasting a budget of R67 billion.
The contest on Wednesday, however, was marred by controversy. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed the suspension of a presiding officer, who allegedly left a voting station to charge a voter management device.
This incident led to heated accusations of vote rigging between the ANC and the MKP, which disrupted the electoral process.
Umkhonto weSizwe Party.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga acknowledged the issue and said a full investigation was underway. “Initial findings suggest the device had been inadequately charged. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our electoral processes,” she said.
This is not the first time IEC officials have come under scrutiny.
In another incident, Musawenkosi Mnikathi, an IEC area manager in Pietermaritzburg, faces charges linked to alleged vote rigging, stemming from last year’s general elections.
Despite being a newcomer, the MKP secured 58 seats in the National Assembly and 37 in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature in its electoral debut in 2024, which propelled the party into the position of official opposition nationally and a leading party in KZN in terms of votes received.
Despite its resounding victory in KZN, the MKP was was not able to take over the reins as a government after IFP, ANC, DA and the NFP banded together and formed the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), an offspring of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
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