KNYSNA NEWS - The ANC has claimed victory in the Ward 4 by-elections – an important win as it puts the party in a position of just two seats fewer than it's DA counterpart in the Knysna council.
This suggests interesting times ahead as the ANC could now, mathematically with the assistance of other councillors, outvote the DA in matters before council. Not only has the ANC increased its seats from seven to eight, but in doing so has weakened the DA by replacing one of the latter's most ardent supporters and coalition partners – the murder accused Velile Waxa.
The DA has 10 seats in council with no obvious support from parties previously in coalition with it.
Smooth sailing for some
The win on 13 February by the ANC's councillor-elect Sithembele Ngqezu, who was sworn into council on Monday 18 February, was not as smooth as that of Thando Matika in Ward 8. The successor in slain councillor Victor Molosi's ward was unanimously voted in as a candidate and triumphed with 84% votes in his favour.
In Ward 4, Ngqezu won with 63%, while the DA and EFF came in at 29% and 9.8% respectively.
The ward became vacant after it's independent councillor, Waxa, who remains behind bars awaiting trial for the murder of Molosi, was dismissed from council for interfering with municipal matters. Waxa appealed local government MEC Anton Bredel's decision to remove him from council and lost the case in the Western Cape High Court to prevent the by-election. Waxa was in a coalition with the DA and, with him losing the ward and the case, the DA has now lost an ally.
Dissent in the ranks?
The Ward 4 by-elections were highly contested because all parties were overly eager to win the ward, but what the ANC did not anticipate was the appearance of factions within its camp. A group within the ANC alleged that the correct processes were not followed at a branch general meeting on 7 January when Ngqezu and another candidate, Phindile Petros, were chosen to stand in the by-election, and they even went so far as to say they would vote for the opposition to have their voices heard. This was a point of discussion at a public meeting held in the Chris Nissen Primary School hall on 5 February.
The voice of dissent was led by Petros who, together with other ANC supporters in the area, organised the meeting and expressed disappointment with the party and how it has failed them throughout the years and even more so ahead of the elections.
'He knows nothing about politics'
This meeting was chaired by the ANC's former Ward 4 councillor Nkosinathi Olembe Litole, who, before opening the floor to attendees, stated that Ngqezu" knows nothing about politics, he only knows how to teach young boys soccer".
Responding to the allegations, the ANC's subregional secretary Moyisi Magalela said the allegations were opportunistic and unfortunate, and that correct procedure was followed. "In terms of the constitution of the ANC that meeting was legit and constitutional," he added.
On 6 February, during a door-to-door campaign in the area, ANC officials were chased away by some of the residents in the area and yet, the party claimed victory.
After Ngqezu took the oath in council on 18 February, Speaker Georlene Wolmarans said, "We are confident that the new councillor will be able to count on your support in the execution of the council's mandate."
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