IFP's big victory in by-elections

INKATHA Freedom Party (IFP) continues to outperform other parties in the by-elections, despite the former president Jacob Zuma's UMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) receiving the most support in the general election in KZN.

The IFP participated in the by-elections on Wednesday, 19 June, across 12 wards in the province to defend two of their wards. Surprisingly, they also captured five additional wards from the African National Congress (ANC).

They returned with seven wards out of 12, which included one in uMzumbe where the MKP were hopeful of taking over all six wards. The IFP retained their ward in uMvoti and uPhongolo while capturing wards from the ANC in Nongoma, uMthonjaneni, and uMzumbe.

The ANC managed to retain their two wards in Mzumbe and another in uMzimkhulu. The Democratic Alliance (DA) captured an ANC ward in Newcastle. MKP managed to secure only one ward, whose candidate is the former speaker of uMzumbe Municipality, Sbonelo Maphumulo, who was expelled by the ANC in 2023.

Maphumulo's expansion caused significant chaos in that municipality, resulting in the resignation of five other ANC councillors who were also contesting their wards. Due to instability within the municipality, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) placed it under administration.

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The recent victory has made IFP the majority party within the municipality, allowing it to govern without any coalition partners. The IFP said this victory is a clear indication that the people of KZN still trust the party to improve their lives.

"This significant victory for the party affirms the continued trust the people of KZN have in the IFP's leadership. It's evident that the residents of KZN support the IFP's decision to form a Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in the province, which will ensure swift and effective service delivery, putting the citizens of KZN first," said the IFP's deputy chairman, Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala.

He also urged the seven newly elected councillors to emulate the exemplary leadership of the late founder and president emeritus, Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The ANC in KZN expressed its revolutionary appreciation to the voters for supporting the party. They pledged to do more to enhance the lives of every resident.