DA loses stronghold Makana ward, drops more than 30%

The Democratic Alliance has lost one of its key stronghold wards to the ANC in Tuesday’s by-election in Makana Municipality.

Ward 12, made up mostly of Rhodes University, was taken by the ANC’s Mzobanzi Nkwentsha, the IEC confirmed on its website.

The party took the seat from the DA which won the seat in the 2016 municipal elections. The seat became vacant with the resignation of former DA councillor, Darryn Holm.

Voter turnout was poor with just 10.45% of registered voters showing up to cast their vote.

In the end, the ANC garnered some 54.07%  of the vote compared to its 22.67% showing in 2016.

The DA candidate, Rhodes University lecturer Angi Jones took 34.44% compared to the DA’s 2016 showing of 68.12%.

The EFF’s candidate Simphiwe Mbonda garnered 11.48% of the vote, compared to the EFF 9.21% showing in 2016.