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Daily Maverick
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Zuma's endorsement of Moroccan occupation sparks renewed debate on Western Sahara's future
More and more countries — and former SA president Jacob Zuma — are backing Rabat's plan for autonomy for Western Sahara. Former South African president Jacob Zuma's visit to Morocco and endorsement of its continued occupation of Western Sahara as an autonomous region, have rekindled debate about this contentious and ongoing issue. Zuma, who now heads the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat last week. Zuma formed MK just before South Africa's national elections last year, as the then-governing ANC was moving to expel him. MK raked in 15% of the vote, contributing to the ANC losing its majority for the first time since 1994. MK cited a long list of explanations for abandoning the cause of Sahrawi independence, which Zuma espoused as president and the ANC still vigorously champions. MK's reasons included pan-Africanism, anti-colonialist solidarity, traditional leadership, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The anti-colonial argument was ironic given that the ANC views Morocco's claim over Western Sahara as colonialism and supports UN efforts to hold a referendum on the issue. Despite the rhetoric, most of Zuma and Morocco's critics — including MK's former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula — suspect Zuma and MK sold out for money or other material gain. That is certainly credible given Zuma's history of corruption and State Capture while president. Those same critics believe material interests are the main reason Rabat has been making steady progress in switching the allegiance of international and African states. 'With Morocco's typical use of money, I am not surprised by Zuma's move,' a retired South African diplomat told ISS Today. 'He has fallen into Morocco's strategic campaign to get African countries to endorse its plan. 'In effect, Zuma's endorsement changes nothing but causes confusion, which I guess is part of Morocco's intention.' The retired diplomat didn't see the South African government or ANC shifting their positions 'any time soon'. And didn't think this represented new thinking. It was noteworthy, however, that Morocco treated Zuma almost as a foreign minister. This was possibly to embarrass Pretoria, which is among Africa's most ardent supporters of independence for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Or perhaps the aim was to shift South Africa's position. But Chrispin Phiri, the spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told ISS Today: 'Our foreign policy is fundamentally shaped by our constitutional values and enduring national interests, not by the transient political manoeuvrings of any single figure or party. 'It's crucial to distinguish between the particular agenda of former president Zuma and his political faction, and the broader, more permanent aspirations of the nation itself. To conflate the two would be an error of the highest order. Mr Zuma and his party, like any political entity, operate as non-state actors.' It is difficult to assess how many states back Morocco's autonomy position. But support is growing internationally with the US, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE — and, just this week — Portugal backing Morocco. In Africa the tally is murkier, though experts and media reports suggest Morocco is gaining ground. They indicate it now has around 23 supporters — most in West Africa, versus about 18 countries — mainly in southern Africa, backing Western Sahara independence or at least the right to a referendum on the issue. Significant victory Morocco was reported to have scored a significant victory in May when Kenya, which had hitherto firmly supported the SADR's right to self-determination, expressed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan. Ghana did the same in June. However, the Polisario Front that governs the SADR has also won a few points. This year, its major champion Algeria twice defeated Morocco for African Union (AU) positions, both as AU deputy chair and in retaining North Africa's seat on the Peace and Security Council. Nonetheless, the former South African diplomat said he was surprised by Kenya and Ghana's recent switch. He added that 'countries would have to think deeply and decide whether they would want to undermine African unity, which is one of the foundational principles of the AU'. Liesl Louw-Vaudran, AU expert at the International Crisis Group, says Morocco has made gradual progress in its campaign for recognition of its autonomy position, globally and in Africa. 'And I think Kenya is a very important country, continentally, at the UN and in the AU.' She also believes Rabat has succeeded in neutralising the issue in Africa. In 2018, shortly after Morocco rejoined the AU, Louw-Vaudran and Christian Ani wrote that the AU's decision to largely leave the Western Sahara issue to the UN had been 'a big win for Morocco, which believes the AU-led efforts are biased'. Louw-Vaudran told ISS Today this week that since then, Western Sahara was no longer discussed as a crisis within the AU, including in its Peace and Security Council. 'South Africa… and some other countries are still trying to support Western Sahara, but it's no longer such a huge emotional, explosive issue, because Morocco really is, apart from South Africa, achieving its goal to stifle any debate about the Western Sahara within the AU. It has got more and more countries siding with it, like Kenya now.' Louw-Vaudran said that despite rumours that Morocco would launch a campaign to get the SADR expelled from the AU, it hasn't happened. With strong opposition from the likes of South Africa and Algeria, 'it would be very, very difficult'. Sceptical SADR Foreign Minister Mohamed Beisat is sceptical about claims that Morocco is gaining support for its autonomy plan. He told ISS Today that Kenya and Ghana's reported switches had only been announced in joint statements with Morocco — not in their own statements. He added that it was irrelevant what any other country or leader thought. 'They want the world to vote in the referendum instead of the Sahrawis themselves,' he said, referring to the UN decision that the Sahrawis must hold a referendum to decide on independence, autonomy or integration with Morocco. Morocco now insists that the option of independence is off the table. 'I don't see the point of Mr Zuma to choose for the Sahrawis or Mr Marco Rubio or Mr Macron or Mr Netanyahu or anyone else. The choice is for the Sahrawis.' That is true. But in Zuma's case, it appears that in an increasingly transactional, self-interested world, many countries and others are backing Morocco's plan because it has something concrete to offer — from fertilisers to tourism, fisheries and renewable energies. SADR by comparison, sadly, does not. DM
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Zuma and MK party contest Ramaphosa's decision to suspend Mchunu
Zuma and the MK party filed an urgent application seeking to invalidate the police minister's leave of absence. Former President Jacob Zuma and the MK party have responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa's answering affidavit, which claims that the MK party is attempting to score political points against him through its Constitutional Court challenge to his decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave. Zuma and the MK party filed an urgent application on 18 July seeking to invalidate Mchunu's leave of absence and Wits law Professor Firoz Cachalia's appointment as acting police minister. Challenge They is also challenging Ramaphosa's establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate corruption allegations in the police. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations during a media briefing this month, accusing Minister Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, of political interference in police operations. ALSO READ: Here's why Zuma's MK party wants Ramaphosa removed in 'urgent' motion of no confidence Dealing with ministers In Ramaphosa's answering affidavit on Wednesday, the president argued that the constitution gives him 'a wide berth as to how to deal with ministers'. 'It is clear that I am empowered to place a minister on special leave when there are serious allegations… so that those allegations can be properly investigated,' said Ramaphosa. 'Where I was not empowered to suspend a minister pending the outcome of an investigation … I would be compelled in all cases, regardless of the circumstances, to dismiss the minister simply on the basis of the allegations … even if they may, on investigation, turn out to be unfounded,' Ramaphosa said. 'Constitutional power' In response to Ramaphosa's answering affidavit, which missed the initial deadlines set by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, Zuma argues there's no express constitutional power allowing Ramaphosa to impose 'special leave on Mchunu. Zuma said there are details in Ramaphosa's affidavit that Mchunu will return as minister of police after the commission of inquiry. 'There is nothing said in the president's affidavit which justified placing Minister Mchunu on 'special leave' and thereby cause him to retain his ministerial title, salary and other perks or privileges at the expense of the long-suffering taxpayer. 'There is simply no potential that he will ever return to the portfolio of Minister of Police, irrespective of the outcome of the commission of inquiry. That unlikely eventuality may also be subject to the ongoing criminal investigations against him, as well as the outcomes of the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee. The ends do not justify the means. All we are left with are ex post facto and Illegal rationalisations,' Zuma said. ALSO READ: 'Ramaphosa will go down in history as one of the most useless presidents' – analyst Whitfield and Mchunu Zuma argues that while DA's Andrew Whitfield did not admit guilt, contrary to the president's claim, the allegations against Whitfield were also untested. 'For a police minister or any minister to collude with criminals is objectively more serious than travelling abroad without permission.' 'It is also plainly false to state that Mr Whitfield ever admitted the allegations against him. The president has produced no evidence of this, Zuma argued. Cachalia In the affidavit, Zuma said Ramaphosa 'openly dodges' the clear distinction between the power to appoint a 'minister' and the different power to appoint an 'acting minister'. 'The two are plainly not the same. The obfuscatory reference to the credentials of Prof Cachalia is nothing but deflection. For the record, no issue is taken against the Professor's credentials… The issue is whether he was constitutionally qualified to be appointed by the president. The answer is that he was not.' Mchunu Zuma's affidavit also takes direct aim at Mchunu's version of events, portraying it as 'evasive and legally flawed.' 'The minister's affidavit is a masterclass in evasion — it skirts the core allegations and offers no constitutional basis for the executive's conduct. The minister's affidavit is riddled with deflection and fails to confront the gravity of the allegations raised by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.' Judicial commission Zuma's argument about the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is sharply focused on its judicial nature and the risk of bias. While Zuma does not oppose the idea of a commission itself — and agrees it may be necessary — what he challenges is the appointment of a judge (Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga) to chair it, given that the judiciary is among the institutions implicated by Mkhwanazi. 'It is irrational and unconstitutional to appoint a judge to chair a commission that is mandated to investigate allegations implicating members of the judiciary. This violates the principle that no one should be a judge in their own cause.' Impartiality Zuma wraps up his argument by framing the challenge not as defiance, but as a constitutional safeguard — emphasising fairness and legality in the mechanisms of oversight. 'I make this application not to avoid accountability, but to ensure that the process by which accountability is demanded is itself lawful, impartial, and consistent with the constitution.' Zuma argued that appointing a judge to lead a commission investigating the judiciary violates the constitutional principle of impartiality — specifically, that 'no one should be a judge in their own cause.' ALSO READ: MK party slams Ramaphosa over missed Mandela Day deadline
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Julius Malema: MK Party won't affect EFF support among progressive South Africans
EFF leader Julius Malema told the media in Cape Town that the Red Berets will only be reduced among tribalists, not among progressive South Africans. Image: Ayana Ndamane / Independent Newspapers EFF leader Julius Malema said on Thursday the MK Party, which is the third largest in Parliament, would not reduce its support base despite being relegated to fourth place after the 2024 elections. 'There is no MK that is going to reduce us. It will reduce us among tribalists, not among progressive South Africans,' Malema told the media during a briefing in Cape Town ahead of the party's anniversary celebrations on Saturday. 'There is no MK that can replace us ideologically, politically, and otherwise. You saw yesterday in Parliament, a mess in action,' he said. He was referring to the flip-flopping made by MK Party chief whip Colleen Makhubele during the vote on the Appropriation Bill in the National Assembly. Makhubele voted in support of the Bill only to change their vote, claiming she mistook it for the Ad Hoc Committee that was established to probe the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Malema expressed his shock that Makhubele had not corrected herself when she was allowed to do so by Parliament's House chairperson Cedric Frolick, but 'she says we vote in support'. He also noted that Makhubele had 'thrown her toys' when Frolick did not recognise her, instead of EFF MP Omphile Maotwe, when there was an opportunity to object and call for a division when the schedule of budgets of the department was voted. 'The TG (treasurer-general Omphile Maotwe) said 'we are going against and called for a division'. She threw her toys. The issue was much bigger than emotions. When they objected and called for division, we supported them,' he said. 'She behaved like she was not a leader and threw toys,' Malema added. He also said the EFF has proven to be an effective opposition party in Parliament. Malema also said his party was making huge inroads in the Western Cape ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He said the Western Cape was one of the provinces where the Red Berets increased the number of votes during the May 2024 general elections. 'Research shows that the EFF is to have huge increases in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape. We are here to consolidate the ground because this is where we want to grow,' he claimed. Explaining the Western Cape as the host of their 12th anniversary celebrations, Malema said the province had never hosted their anniversaries. 'We were told the season is not good, it's rainy and windy. We have had to take a bold decision that we can't have a province in the history of our organisation, which has never hosted the national celebrations of the EFF, because we are a national organisation.' The EFF national leaders moved the anniversary celebrations from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape following the devastating floods that displaced people and left communities in mourning. 'The EFF made the responsible decision to relocate the venue out of respect and solidarity with those affected.' He also said the choice of Khayelitsha as a venue was significant because it is the second largest township and home to thousands of poor and working-class Africans who lived under the weight of special apartheid and deliberate under-development. 'Khayelitsha remains physically and economically separated from the so-called World Class parts of Cape Town. When the DA-led city speaks of this smart city, they are not referring to Khayelitsha. They are referring to the wide enclaves of Sea Point, Claremont, Constantia, and Stellenbosch, while the people of Khayelitsha are left to swim in poverty, crime, poor sanitation, overcrowding, and the lack of basic housing.' Malema said they have erected a dome with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people as the main venue for the rally. 'This structure includes all essential amenities, including sanitation facilities, and will be ready to host thousands of Fighters, supporters, and community members. 'We expect a powerful turnout from surrounding areas, including side B, Site C, TR Section, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Delft, and Belhar.'
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka denies involvement in NSNP tender irregularities
KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka says complaints about the NSNP tender are being handled by relevant authorities and that the law will take its course if any wrongdoing is found. Image: Supplied KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has addressed the allegations surrounding irregularities in the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender process, amid calls for his resignation by the MK party and concerns by the Democratic Alliance in the province. This follows allegations from the NSNP that the R2.9-billion tender process was manipulated for political gain. In an interview with Newzroom Africa, Hlomuka acknowledged receiving complaints from various parties but emphasised that the accounting officer and relevant authorities are handling the procurement processes. 'We're receiving several complaints from various service providers, stakeholders, and other political parties. However, as an MEC in the Department of Education, having received those complaints, I also engaged the MEC for Finance in the province to look into the matter,' Hlomuka said. He added, 'If there are people who are fingered in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), I think the law will take its course.' Addressing direct allegations that he registered a company involved in SNP tenders, Hlomuka clarified, "In 2015, I opened the company and I've been participating in several government and private services, but currently I don't own any company." He denied any current involvement, saying, "I am no longer part of the company. Hence, I'm not aware of its activities. If it has received any tenders, that information will come out in the investigation,'' he said. He denied any current involvement with the tender and stated he had not received any official report linking him to irregularities. When asked about calls for his resignation by the MK party by July 26, Hlomuka said, 'I was appointed by the premier of KwaZulu-Natal. If there's a need to resign for whatever reason, we'll wait for that advice from the premier who appointed me.' Hlomuka highlighted that as MEC, he does not manage the tender processes directly and that any complaints must follow official channels. 'We are told that the process is at the appeal stage, and those who feel unfairly treated must lodge their appeals. The MEC for finance has already indicated he is waiting for those appeals.' He urged patience as investigations continue, saying, 'Let's wait for the process, the investigation will tell us if that company has been awarded before or not.' In response to the allegations surrounding the NSNP tender process and related issues, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal expressed concern about the widespread accusations circulating on social media platforms against its members. ANC KZN spokesperson Fanle Sibisi said, 'The ANC has noted with concern the widespread allegations of wrongdoing circulating on various social media platforms, levelled against its deployees.' Regarding the specific allegations of corruption against Hlomuka and Thanduxolo Sabelo, Sibisi said, 'We understand that this process is at an appeal stage where those who have made bids and seek to appeal must forward their appeals to the Treasury Department. The ANC has full confidence that the provincial government has adequate capacity to handle appeals in a just and transparent manner.' He urged patience and trust in due process: 'We call on the concerned role-players and the general public to allow this process to run its course.' On allegations involving Councillor Lungile Mthembu of Mandeni Local Municipality alleged to have solicited a bribe, Sibisi confirmed, 'The ANC has instructed the leadership of the General Gizenga Region to institute an investigation into this allegation and to bring a report to the provincial office of the ANC for further processing.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ However, Sibisi cautioned against what he described as a broader campaign to undermine the ANC's integrity. 'There seems to be a concerted campaign to impugn the integrity of the ANC and its leaders. This campaign, advanced by faceless individuals, not only defames these comrades but has the potential to cause instability.' He highlighted previous examples, stating, 'The case of the non-renewal of Ms Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract is a practical example of how the names of both the concerned ANC leader and the ANC itself can be dragged through the mud based on baseless allegations.' 'The ANC firmly opposes any acts of criminality, especially when they involve public finances. However, we believe that the threshold for damaging someone's character through public allegations is unacceptably low. We must all recognise our responsibility to uphold the principles of our Constitution, which includes respecting individuals' rights to dignity, said ANC KZN Coordinator, Michael Mabuyakhulu. 'The ANC remains steadfast in its mission to build a better South Africa where all people, regardless of background or affiliation, are treated with dignity. We urge members of the media, the public, and social commentators to act responsibly, verify facts, and resist being drawn into campaigns that seek to sow confusion and division,'' said Sibisi. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Ward poll shocks — Patriotic Alliance smashes DA's blue wall in Paarl, ANC snatches back Kimberley seat
Two seats changed hands in a night of mixed fortunes for most parties in the latest round of by-elections. The ANC regained a seat in Kimberley, Sol Plaatje it had lost in 2023 to the Patriotic Alliance, while the latter shocked the DA in Paarl, Drakenstein. The ANC had to wade into deep water to retain a township ward in Sebokeng, Emfuleni, as the DA retained a ward in Velddrif, Bergrivier after a strong showing by the Patriotic Alliance. Gauteng Ward 35 (Sebokeng 11, 12, 13) Emfuleni, Sedibeng: ANC 38% (54%) MK 21% DA 12% (14%) PA 12% EFF 8% (22%) DITAU 6% PAC 2% (2%) AAAIC <1% LABOUR <1% SARKO <1% SARKO <1% The setting: Ward 35 is in the heart of Sebokeng township, north of Vanderbijlpark and west of Vereeniging. Star soccer players Steve Lekolea and Sailor Tshabalala hail from the township, as does model Thando Hopa, who graced the cover of Vogue magazine. Sesotho is by far the most-spoken language in Sebokeng, but there are pockets of Zulu and Xhosa speakers. Emfuleni is the most-populous non-metropolitan municipality in the country, making it the municipality with the ninth-largest number of residents in South Africa. It includes Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging and Evaton and forms part of the Sedibeng region, which extends to Meyerton and Heidelberg. The 2021 local government election: The ANC won just more than half of the vote, taking more than 50% in all voting districts. Its best return was 56% at Mthombolwazi Primary School in Zone 12. The EFF did best at Mogogodi Primary School in Zone 11 with a gallant 27%. The DA obtained 19% at the Full Gospel Church of God in Zone 11. The ANC did lose its outright majority in Emfuleni, forcing it into a coalition with several other parties, including the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and the Community Solidarity Association (CSA), with two seats each. Other parties in the coalition are the PA, the New Horizon Movement and the VAAL party, which have one each, giving the coalition 45 of the 90 council seats. The 2024 provincial election: The ANC won half of the vote in the ward. The DA surprised here, finishing second with 16%. Emfuleni was one of the few municipalities in the country where the DA made inroads with black voters. It was just ahead of the EFF in this ward, with the red berets finishing on 15% and MK on 12%. MK hurt the ANC and the EFF in this part of Sebokeng. The by-election: The ward councillor and mayoral committee member for human settlements died. Ten other parties joined the ANC on a crowded ballot. The ANC retained the ward but had to work hard for it. The Hervormde Kerk (Maranatha) voting station in Zone 13 was key as the ANC won an impressive 70% of the vote there. Zone 13 gave the party a 372-vote buffer. It also carried the Full Gospel Church of God voting district in Zone 11 with 40%. The DA was second with 21%. The Mthombolwazi Primary School voting district in Zone 12 had the most voters turning out, and produced a fascinating result. MK came first with 35%, followed by the PA on 28% and ANC with 24%, while the EFF finished sixth behind the DA and new local party, Tau Dia Rora (DITAU). DITAU campaigns on the ticket of respecting and honouring African traditions, culture and heritage. It is a landmark result for the ANC to finish third, and the EFF to finish sixth, in a populous Gauteng township voting district. MK also won the Mogogodi Primary School in Zone 11 with 25%, just ahead of the ANC on 22%. The EFF came third with 17%, the DA fourth on 15% and DITAU fifth on 12%. It is also rare to see five parties get into double percentage figures in a Gauteng township. MK will be satisfied with its second-place finish. While the DA beat the PA and the EFF, it would have liked to have exhibited some growth in the ward. The PA continues to make its mark in Gauteng township by-elections. It will be happy with this showing. The EFF will be bitterly disappointed with fifth place, while DITAU will be a party to watch in Emfuleni in the next election. Northern Cape Ward 1 (Roodepan Platfontein) in Sol Plaatje, Frances Baard: ANC 43% (35%) PA 39% (53%) DA 16% (7%) MK 1% EFF 1% (2%) The setting: Ward 1 is a vast area in Kimberley, the provincial capital of the Northern Cape. It is north of the city centre and includes the working-class community of Roodepan and Platfontein. Platfontein is home to the !Xun and the Khwe communities. The ward includes a tourist landmark on the road to Barkly West, the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre. The October 2023 by-election: The ANC ward councillor defected to the PA four months after winning an earlier 2023 by-election. He elected not to stand again for the ward councillor position, which meant the PA fielded the same candidate it did in the February 2023 by-election. Another key development was the DA candidate standing down after nominations for candidates had closed for the by-election. The candidate abandoned the race and defected to the PA. The PA beat the ANC by 568 votes, winning its first by-election in the Northern Cape. The PA benefited from the DA candidate's withdrawal after the nomination period had closed. However, the PA also made strides in Platfontein, where it struggled in the earlier 2023 by-election. The party won more than 60% of the vote at the Lucretia School district in Roodepan. The ANC held steady at 29%. Similar results emerged at the less-populated Roodepan voting district. At the NG Kerk, the PA surged to 57%. The ANC made small gains in this district, from 24% to 26%. While the ANC grew in Platfontein, it was not enough to compensate for the shortcomings in Roodepan. The party went from 47% to 50%, while the PA won 37% of the vote in Platfontein. The ANC lost its outright majority in Sol Plaatje. The Sol Plaatje Council composition after the by-election: ANC 32 (33) DA 14 EFF 6 PA 4 (3) Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum 3 VF+ 3 Good 2 ACDP 1. Total: 65. The ANC formed a coalition with Good to keep control of Sol Plaatje. Good was rewarded with mayoral committee positions for both its councillors. The 2024 provincial election: The PA showed that its 2023 by-election win was not a shot in the dark. It came first in the ward with 45%, followed by the ANC on 33% and the DA a distant third on 15%. The PA won both Roodepan districts, while the ANC prevailed in Platfontein. The 2025 by-election: The PA ward councillor was dismissed by the party leadership for failing to attend three consecutive council meetings. The ANC regained the ward by beating the PA by 135 votes. Platfontein was key to this win, and the 237-vote margin was crucial. There was a significant turnout differential of 20 and 21 percentage points between Platfontein and the two Roodepan voting districts as 71% of Platfontein made their mark at the voting district. The ANC also surprised the PA by edging it by seven votes at the vote-rich Lucretia Primary School voting in Roodepan. The ANC overcame a 31% point deficit from the 2023 by-election at Lucretia Primary School. The result in this district will concern the PA the most. In the less-populated Roodepan voting district the PA fell from 57% to 46%, with the ANC growing from 26% to 30%. It was here where the DA did best in the ward, obtaining 21%. The by-election win means the ANC has now one wards off the DA, the PA and the Namakwa Civic Movement since the 2024 elections in the Northern Cape. It also makes up for the recent narrow loss to the PA in Sutherland in the Karoo Hoogland. Northern Cape premier and ANC provincial leader Zamani Saul's star will continue to rise in the ANC when its members across the country see the party's by-election performance trend in this province. The ANC also regained its outright majority in Sol Plaatje. This means it no longer needs to work with Good to achieve a majority in the council. Good currently has two mayoral committee positions, and councillors in the ANC caucus will surely be eyeing those. New council composition: ANC 33 (32) DA 14 EFF 6 PA 3 (4) Sol Plaatje Service Delivery Forum 3 VF+ 3 Good 2 ACDP 1. Total: 65. Poll: 56% (55%) Western Cape Ward 27 (Amstelhof Paarl) Drakenstein, Cape Winelands: PA 43% (1%) DA 39% (58%) ANC 16% (12%) CDA 1% (10%) The setting: Amstelhof is east of the Paarl town centre. The ward sits between the R101 road and Klein Drakenstein Road. The ward might sit above the Boland Park Cricket Stadium but it produced a rugby superstar in Springbok Canan Moodie. Drakenstein is the second-most-populous municipality in the Western Cape and includes the towns of Wellington, Gouda and Saron. The 2021 local government election: The DA beat the ANC by more than 800 votes in this ward. The race for second place was interesting, with the ANC finishing just ahead of the local Concerned Drakenstein Residents (CDR), which edged out Good in a photo finish for third place. Good won 9% of the vote. 2024 provincial election: The DA came first with 56%, winning both Amstelhof voting districts. The PA was runner-up with 21%, ahead of the ANC on 15%. The by-election: The ward councillor died. Good elected to not contest the by-election. PA made history by winning its first ward in the Cape Winelands district, beating the DA by 74 votes. This is also significant because Drakenstein is the second-most-populous municipality in the province. Amstelhof Primary School district was a delight for the PA and a disaster for the DA. The PA surged from 1% to 37%, while the ANC had an impressive jump from 8% to 32%. The DA fell from 57% to 30% and CDR collapsed from 18% to 1%. The 79-vote margin for the PA over the DA would be the key difference. The DA finished first at LK Zeeman Primary, but its support fell from 56% to 48%. The PA went from a measly 1% to 48%. The PA hurt the DA and CDR and also attracted many of the Good voters in this district. Good won more than 20% in this district in 2021. CDR disappeared in the district, falling from 11% to less than 1%. The DA's blue wall has been resolute in Cape Town and much of the Cape Winelands, but this win by the PA is a big breach of that wall. There will be great concern at DA headquarters. The PA has beaten the DA in a matter of weeks in Mossel Bay and Paarl. These are two towns where the DA's support has largely held or grown. The PA will be very bullish about the next election in the province. The PA did not just cause pain for the DA here. The CDR, a local party with three seats on the council, was decimated in this by-election. Local parties across the province will be studying the Drakenstein result with dread. New Drakenstein council composition: DA 35 (36) ANC 13 GOOD 4 FF+ 3 Concerned Drakensberg Residents 3 PA 2 (1) ACDP 1 EFF 1 ICOSA 1 PAC 1 Al Jama-ah 1. Total 65. Ward 6 (Velddrif Noordhoek) Bergrivier, West Coast: DA 45% (40%) PA 39% (29%) EFF 13% (6%) ANC 3% (16%) The setting: Noordhoek is north of the Velddrif town centre. This is where most of the voters in Ward 6 reside. It also includes the coastal village of Dwarskersbos, which is north of Noordhoek and Velddrif, and the farming area of Aurora east of Velddrif. Bokkomslaan is in Velddrif, one of South Africa's most notable streetscapes. The Bergrivier municipality is known for its potatoes, salt and fishing. Other towns in the municipality are Piketberg and Porterville. Nataniel is a son of this region. The 2021 local government election: The DA beat the PA by 264 votes in a very close contest. The PA won the most vote-rich district, Noordhoek, by 306 votes. Turnout in Noordhoek was below the ward polling average, with only 52% of registered voters showing up. The DA won the Aurora voting district by 115 votes, with the PA finishing second. Turnout here was 54%, slightly below the turnout average. The DA beat the PA by 499 votes in Dwarskersbos. Turnout here was a high 76%. The ANC were the only other party to get into double percentage figures, obtaining 13%. Only four votes separated the parties who ranked fourth, fifth and sixth, with the EFF outmuscling Good and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+). All three parties received 6% of the vote. The 2024 provincial election: The DA bagged 56% of the vote here. The PA were second with 18% and the ANC came third on 12%. Noordhoek was competitive. The DA beat the PA by 93 votes, while 144 votes separated the PA from the ANC. Turnout was more than 80% in Dwarskersbos. The DA won 85% in Dwarskersbos and also dominated in Aurora, winning 75%. The PA beat the ANC in both Dwarskersbos and Aurora. The by-election: The ward councillor resigned. Good and the FF+ decided to not contest this by-election. The DA candidate claimed the PA tried to buy him off. The PA denied the accusation. The DA held off the PA by 208 votes in a high-turnout by-election. The PA grew from 42% to 49% in Noordhoek. There was a turnout differential for the PA as Noordhoek did not just have as expected the highest voter turnout but the highest percentage voter turnout as well, with a 6% turnout advantage over Dwarskersbos and 14% compared with the Aurora turnout. The DA grew from 20% to 28% in Noordhoek. The EFF made good gains, moving from 9% to 19%. The ANC fell sharply from 19% to 4%. Dwarskersbos was key for the DA as it won 96% here, up from 81% in 2021. The party benefited from the FF+'s absence. The FF+ won 15% in the district in 2021. In Aurora, the DA all but matched its 2021 returns while the PA made giant strides from 23% to 43%. The DA would have also benefited from the FF+'s absence here as it garnered 11% in 2021. In Aurora, former Good voters, some DA voters and ANC voters moved over to the PA. We had 4 by-elections in the latest round of electoral activity. No single party won more than 45% of the vote in a by-election. This could be a snapshot of what happens in large parts of the country in the next local government elections. There could well be more fracturing, more competition and considerably more coalitions governments across the country. The next by-election will be on 6 August when the ANC defends a super-safe seat in Motherwell township in Nelson Mandela Bay. The EFF and MK will hope to make inroads. DM
