The African National Congress (ANC) has gained control of five councils and is leading in the sixth, with 55,32% of the votes cast in the province. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have surpassed the Democratic Alliance with 34 council seats as compared to 23 seats. This constitutes 16,49% and 11,69% of the votes cast in the province. 

This as the DA in the province told OFM News they have successfully managed to retain control of all its previously held wards in the Madibeng Local Municipality, which includes Brits and Hartbeespoort Dam. The leader of the DA in the province and Member of Parliament, Leon Basson, told OFM News they have made significant progress in winning some wards - especially ward 29 in Madibeng - from the ANC.

The party also retained control of a ward in the Potchefstroom-headquartered JB Marks Local Municipality which they had previously lost to the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus). Meanwhile, the ANC in the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, which forms part of the larger Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, North West, won Ward 5 for the first time ever in the local elections. The ward was previously governed by the DA. The ward includes both the township and a part of the town, making it a mixed community.  

Basson previously stated that some voting stations had long queues as a result of ballot boxes not being delivered in time or due to machines not working properly on election day. He made specific mention of Lichtenburg and surrounding areas, as well as Klerksdorp and voting stations in the Madibeng Local Municipality. He said the IEC’s current system needs to be relooked and is of the view that the Commission was not as ready for these elections as previously. Attempts to get the North West IEC to comment on the issues that occurred on election day remain unanswered.

OFM News