ANC, MK Party to square off in another crunch by-election in KZN

FRESH from bruising back-to-back by-election defeats, the once-dominant but now limping ANC is now pulling out all the stops to retain Ward 4 which is up for grabs in the Mooi Mpofana Local Municipality, south of KwaZulu-Natal.

The by-election for the ward, which take place on May 14, will see the ANC fighting yet again to defend one of its wards being prised away from the on-a-roll uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), the IFP, EFF and the struggling NFP.

The ward became vacant after France Malevu, an ANC councillor, died in February following illness. 

The by-election comes at a time when the ANC is faced with internal challenges and waning influence in some regions, whereas the MK Party's support base continues on an upward trajectory.  

The EFF and IFP are the other serious contenders in the ward.

The ANC, still reeling from its defeat to the MKP in the Mandeni by-election last week, and is leaving nothing to chance for this latest match-up. Party heavyweights, including Senzo Mchunu, the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) member and current Minister of Police, have been deployed to campaign in the area. 

Over the weekend, Mchunu held a series of door-to-door engagements, including a visit to Mxhakeni Creche, where he stressed the importance of community interaction in understanding local needs. 

“We are here to ask for your vote. The ANC has always been your party, and we are committed to making your lives better. We’ve learned from our mistakes and will continue to improve,” said Mchunu. 

Mchunu’s visit to the area was part of a larger strategy to revive the party's fortunes in KZN, where the ANC once dominated but now faced mounting challenges from opposition parties. Reflecting on the ANC's past leadership in the province, Mchunu acknowledged the party's shortcomings but reiterated its commitment to regaining the trust of voters. “We want to retain our position as the ruling party at all levels,” said Mchunu.

“We know we have made mistakes, but we are listening and learning from the people. Together, we will create a better future.”

While the ANC aims to put its best foot forward, the MKP is likely to emerge as the party's main rival, especially after their recent victories in Ward 28 in KwaDukuza and Ward 18 in Mandeni. The MKP, founded in late 2023 by former President Jacob Zuma, has quickly emerged as a significant player in local politics.

Having already gained control of five wards in KZN and one in the North West, the MKP was aiming to add Ward 4 to its growing list of wards. 

MKP representatives were also out in force over the weekend, conducting their own door-to-door campaign to sway voters. The party’s leadership was hoping to continue with its winning streak, also buoyed by its recent success in displacing the ANC and the DA in Ward 110 in eThekwini. 

The MKP’s push for power in KZN has been aided by a reshuffling of its provincial leadership, which included the appointment of Reggie Ngcobo as their provincial organiser, an elevation from his previous role as the deputy provincial deputy organiser.

Meanwhile, the IFP was also targeting Ward 4, with its provincial executive committee making their bid for support. Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala, the party’s deputy chairperson, led the campaign in the ward over the weekend. 

“We humbly ask for your vote. The IFP is the only party that has proven it can deliver results. Vote for us, and we will work to make your lives better,” said Shabalala. 

With the local government elections just a year away, the outcome of the Ward 4 by-election could serve as a crucial boost for the political parties going into the 2026 polls. 

As the battle for control of the ward intensified, it remained to be seen whether the ANC could reclaim its stronghold or if the rising forces of the MKP, IFP, and other challengers would change the political landscape of the region.

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