DA scores landslide victory in Rustenburg by-election

DA candidate Cheryl Phillips obtained 1,398 (89 percent) of votes to retain ward 16 in Wednesday’s by-elections. Maria Bodenstein of the African National Congress (ANC) obtained 166 (10.5 percent) votes.

The ward was previously represented by the DA but became vacant as a result of Bodenstein’s resignation. She resigned from the DA last year to join the ANC.

Results released by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) on Thursday showed that only 1,570 people voted from 5,955 registered voters in ward 16. Six ballots were spoilt.

The DA obtained 156 votes (54,93 percent) at the Mooka farm house voting station while the ANC obtained 128 votes (45,07 percent) at the same voting station. At the WA van Zyl voting station, the DA obtained 1,114 votes (97,8 percent) and the ANC obtained 25 votes (2,95 percent), while at the Kloof Primary School voting station, the DA obtained 128 votes (90,78 percent) and the ANC 13 votes (9,22 percent).

In the 2011 local government election results, the DA had obtained 85 percent, the ANC 11 percent and Freedom Front Plus three percent. The Freedom Front Plus did not contest Wednesday’s by-election.

DA constituency leader in Rustenburg, Herman Groenewald said the results were an indication that the DA was growing and cutting into the ANC support base.

“These results are a clear sign that the DA continues to grow in key battleground municipalities and wards ahead of the 2016 elections.

 The stage is set for election 2016 where the DA will make significant inroads into the ANC’s support.”

In November the DA also retained ward 17 in the Rustenburg local municipality.

Photo: DA