ANC notes DA threat to rural votes

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has admitted its rival, the Democratic Alliance, is making inroads into rural areas, the party’s historical stronghold.

The admission comes after the Independent Electoral Commission announced the outcomes of Wednesday’s by-elections in two wards – Tsolwana’s Ward 5 and Mbizana’s Ward 11.

Although the ANC won both wards, it was the DA’s growth in Tarkastad that has shaken the ruling party as it prepares for the 2016 local government elections.

The results show that the ANC’s Gredwill van Heerden received 62% while the DA’s Jomo Blom received 37%. This is an increase in support for the DA of more than 200% since securing only 7% at the previous local election.

Previously the ward was led by independent candidate Ivan Patrick Van, who secured 65% vote against the ANC’s 28%. The ANC might have itself to blame for being unable to woo more votes to it since Van was not part of this contest.

ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane blamed the conduct of some ANC deployees in the area.

Among the incidents Mabuyane cited is that of Tsolwana mayor Khayalethu Nqithi who made headlines two years ago when he allegedly attacked a 62-year old pensioner. He now faces the axe as Tsolwane mayor.

Mabuyane admitted yesterday that the case of “the mayor who beat up an ordinary citizen is an issue we cannot ignore. It had its own negative impact in these elections.

“You cannot rule out the effects all these incidents had during the by-elections because these are blunders created by our own public representatives.

“Clearly the DA is growing. It is encroaching on our space because some of our people are disgruntled.

“Our understanding is that even during these by-elections some of those who had earlier supported the independent candidate, supported the DA this time around,” said Mabuyane.

DA Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip said the result was an indication of the continuous growth and support for the DA as an alternative government.

“We will remain committed to this goal as we work to win strategic municipalities in the Eastern Cape in the 2016 local government elections and onwards towards the 2019 general election,” said Trollip.

Mabuyane said they were confident the ANC would grow from strength to strength towards the 2016 elections, now that they were aware of the complaints of ANC supporters in Tarkastad.

“This serves as a wake-up call for the ANC,” he said, adding that people still wanted the ANC to fight for their interests.

“That was our branch. We realised very late how we lost. It’s a branch we handed over to an independent candidate on a platter, and slowly we are working to regain maximum control,” Mabuyane added.

In Mbizana’s Ward 11 the ANC retained dominance, with ward candidate Sikhumbuzo Faku winning 80% of the vote. “We are ecstatic that we won both wards and that we remain the dominant party in Bizana,” said Mabuyane.