IFP retains Vryheid ward in AbaQulisi, ANC second place

The IFP retained a ward in Vryheid in AbaQulusi, KwaZulu-Natal, beating the ANC which will be content with a strong second-place finish.

Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe party had an impressive first by-election outing, winning just under one-fifth of the vote to finish third according to the Daily Maverick.

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IN 2016 WARD 8 WAS A THREE-WAY BATTLE

The party retained the seat it won in the 2021 Municipal Elections, with 46,54% of the total votes cast, compared to 35,28% during the 2021 Municipal Elections.

In 2016, Ward 8 was a real three-way battle as the DA edged the ANC and the IFP. Just 35 votes separated the DA from the ANC and there were fewer than 100 between the DA and the IFP. 

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DA LOST GROUND TO FREEDOM FRONT PLUS

In 2021, The IFP beat the DA by 135 votes in another closely fought contest. The DA lost ground to the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) who finished fourth with 6% of the vote. An independent candidate also affected the DA with 4% of the vote. 

The ANC finished a distant third in the ward, losing support to the IFP and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). 

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IFP REPLACED ANC IN ABAQULUSI

The IFP replaced the ANC as the largest party in AbaQulusi, winning 21 of the 45 seats. The ANC lost eight seats to finish on 14. The National Freedom Party (NFP) and the EFF also ate into the ANC’s support.

The NFP finished third with four seats while the EFF won three. The DA with its two seats and the FF+ with one completed the seat allocation. The IFP had the support of the DA to ensure the IFP candidate was elected mayor. 

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