uMkhonto weSizwe delivers solid showing in by-elections in northern KZN
The MK party, which made its debut clinched 19% of the votes in the Abaqulusi Local Municipality, pushing the EFF to fourth place.
Former President Jacob Zuma addresses members of the media under the banner of new party uMkhontho weSizwe on 16 December 2023. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/ Eyewitness News
DURBAN - With less than three months since its official launch, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has come out as one of the top performers in this week's by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The by-elections, which took place in northern KZN's Abaqulusi local municipality on Wednesday, saw the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) growing its support from 35 to 47%, the African National Congress (ANC) up from 15% to 31%, while the MK party, which made its debut, clinched19% of the votes, pushing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to fourth place.
Julius Malema's EFF only managed to get 1% of the votes - a decline from its previous 5%.
The MK party, which is backed by former President Jacob Zuma has its eyes set on the fast-approaching national elections, with Zuma lobbying for citizens to abandon the governing ANC.
Wednesday's by-elections could be seen by some as a warning of what's to come in KZN when the country eventually takes to the national and provincial elections.
While the ANC experienced some growth in the ward, it's suggested that it would have fared better were it not for the advancement of the MK Party.