DA WC retains ward in the Matzikamma Municipality town of Vanrhynsdorp
DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said its councillor Richard van Huyssteen will continue the party’s trend of solid governance.
Tertuis Simmers. Picture: X/WesternCapeDA
CAPE TOWN - In the ongoing battle for the grassroots vote in the Western Cape’s rural communities, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has retained its ward in the Matzikamma Municipality town of Vanrhynsdorp.
The party has recently been embroiled in a bitter battle to retain control over the hung council after the Western Cape High Court recently overturned an attempt by a coalition of the African National Congress (ANC), Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to wrest control.
Wednesday’s by-election result is the DA’s highest ever vote tally in that ward, which was originally won by the PA in the 2021 municipal election before its councillor defected to the DA.
DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said its councillor Richard van Huyssteen will continue the party’s trend of solid governance.
Meanwhile, the ANC said while it’s disappointed by the outcome in Matzikamma, where it's only placed third, it’s managed to retain ward three in the Knysna Municipality by only 31 votes, with the PA nipping at its heels.
Lukhanyiso Nohana will now take charge as the councillor.
ANC Western Cape spokesperson Khalid Sayed said, despite the Knysna victory, it will nevertheless be dissecting the reasons for the 8% decline in support.
"The Knysna Municipality is now able, through the ANC-led coalition, to continue improving the state of the municipality and serving all residents."