Mabuyane thanks Eastern Cape residents for giving ANC another 5 years

EAST LONDON - Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane says the province deserves to celebrate its victory, despite the African National Congress (ANC) regressing in the province and nationally.

He said party loyalists continue to show faith in the party "against all odds", citing development and budget priorities in the country focusing on other provinces.

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With the vote count and capturing completed, the ANC managed to secure 62% of the vote followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 14% and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 10%.

"We’ve got to thank people here in the province," Mabuyane says. 

"We’re going to our people. They’ve done their part. They’ve contributed. Every province had the right to contribute towards this victory and we remain a majority party even nationally."

Mabuyane said they were also concerned about the party’s “regression” and the emergence of parties based along “tribal lines” which have eaten away at the party’s base.