MK Party topples ANC again in its heartland, looking ahead to 2026 local polls
The EFF, once a contender, captured a mere 1%, a steep fall from its previous 14% mark.
The IFP finished runners-up with with 30% of the votes, the ANC—once the clear front-runner—suffered a sharp decline in support and only secured 27% of the votes, down from 66% in the 2021 local government elections.
This latest by-election victory for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), led by former president Jacob Zuma was achieved yesterday, with the MKP's candidate, Lindani Xhakaza, drawing 42% of the votes polled.
THE ANC's long-standing grip on Ward 18 in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, has been broken.
Speaking to the Daily News following his victory, Xhakaza thanked the residents who voted for him.
'I am happy that the people of my ward chose me to lead them. I promise to work with them to make our community a great place to live,' he said.
As Mandeni native, Xhakaza listed tackling crime as his top priority in the rural-semi-urban town, located about 110 kilometers north of Durban.
Mandeni, under the iLembe District Municipality, is plagued with high unemployment. Once a thriving hub, thanks to the Isithebe Industrial Area that was home to a number of textile-related business, however, many of those operations have since shut down, and left residents in economic distress.
The Isithebe district was an area once torn by ANC-IFP violence during the turbulent 1980s and 1990s.
Analysts say the ANC's internal divisions have contributed to its decline.
Independent political analyst Thobani Zikalala said, 'The ANC is facing an existential and legitimacy crisis. Jacob Zuma is exploiting this by steering the MKP as a political alternative.'
Since its formation in December 2023, the MKP has rapidly gained ground. It now holds control of six wards, five in KZN and one in the North West. The KZN wins were notched up in strategic locations including Richmond, KwaDukuza, and eThekwini.
Victory in Mandeni is expected to further boost the MKP's campaign ahead of the 2026 local elections, where the party harbours hopes to pocket power in major municipalities, including eThekwini, which is currently governed by a coalition including the ANC, IFP, EFF, and smaller parties. eThekwini boasts a staggering budget of R67 billion.
Wednesday's Mandeni win was not without controversy. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed the suspension of a presiding officer, who was accused of leaving a voting station to charge a device, leading to accusations of vote rigging made by both the ANC and MKP.
KZN Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga confirmed a probe was underway. 'Initial findings suggest the device was not adequately charged. We are committed to protecting the integrity of the electoral process,' she said.
The IEC has recently come under increased scrutiny, with another official in Pietermaritzburg facing charges related to alleged rigging during last year's general elections.
Despite its electoral breakthrough, securing 58 seats in the National Assembly and 37 in the KZN legislature, the MKP's representatives are not included in the provincial government. Instead, a Government of Provincial Unity was formed, which included the ANC, IFP, DA, and NFP, mirroring the national GNU arrangement.
The Mandeni by-election became necessary after the of ANC councillor Phendukani Mabhida. The race drew national attention, with senior leaders from all major parties, including the MKP's Bongani Baloyi and John Hlophe, IFP's Velenkosini Hlabisa, and the ANC's provincial heavyweights, campaigning intensely in the region.
While the ANC initially alleged foul play regarding the Mandeni result, they eventually accepted defeat.
The ANC said in a statement: 'The outcome may not have been what we hoped for, we continue to draw lessons in situations in order to rebuild and renew. The ANC salutes every volunteer, voter and supporter who stood with us in this campaign.'
The IFP also accepted defeat, and thanked its volunteers and voters.
'The IFP in the province encourages its ward 18 candidate and member Mr Nkosiyapha Wiseman 'Sgqoko' Zulu, to never stop working for the people of Mandeni, KwaSithebe, but to continue doing good for the community and waving the IFP flag,' read the IFP's statement.
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