Sara-Jayne Makwala King26 April 2024 | 7:47

PA shellacs DA, ANC in Western Cape by-elections

The Patriotic Alliance has roared to victory with surprise wins in local by-elections in the Western Cape.

PA shellacs DA, ANC in Western Cape by-elections

A Patriotic Alliance branded vehicle. Picture: Gayton Mckenzie/Facebook

Lester Kiewit is joined by election analyst Wayne Sussman.

The Patriotic Alliance means business, judging by significant wins in by-elections held in the Western Cape on Thursday.

In Oudtshoorn, the PA claimed 65.5% of the vote, with the DA coming second at 32%.

It also managed an impressive result in the Cederberg, coming second to the Cederberg Eerste party with just over 36%.

It is an astonishing result, says Sussman.

"When a party grows from 1% to 65% in Oudtshoorn and beats the ANC by a landslide, that is a shellacking."
- Wayne Sussman, Election analyst
"The Patriotic Alliance across the country have had many good by-election nights, but none quite like this."
- Wayne Sussman, Election analyst

In the Swartland, the PA continued its success, breaking down the 'blue wall' to win its first seat on the local council.

"Very narrow, 28 votes, that shows that every single vote counts... it's a remarkable result which solidifies its growth in the Western Cape."
- Wayne Sussman, Election analyst

Sussman admits that before last night's landslide results, he had doubts about the PA.

"The one was, could they fight multiple by-elections on one day; the answer to that question is a resounding 'yes'...The second question is, if they've broken down the blue wall in the Swartland, can they make deep in roads in the City of Cape Town and places likes Hanover Park and Tafelsig, that is the million dollar question.."
- Wayne Sussman, Election analyst
"It's one thing fighting multiple by-elections, it's another running an election campaign."
- Wayne Sussman, Election analyst

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.