UPDATE: IFP wins closely contested Nquthu by-election
The IFP has clinched 14 wards in the by-elections in Nquthu while the ANC has picked up 3.
Voting yesterday took place in all 17 wards of the northern KZN area.
Political tensions within the council repeatedly interrupted process around electing office-bearers following last year's Local Government Elections.
Nquthu had not been able to elect office-bearers since those elections.
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In August last year, the IFP secured 15 seats on the council and the ANC got 14. While opposition parties, the DA and EFF earned one seat each.
The IFP's Joshua Mazibuko says its a victory emanating from a free and fair election.
"They drew a line in the sand. They proclaimed for all to see that they were angry with what happened with the IFP. They are going to give the IFP twice the mandate to steer the development of the people in Nquthu," he said.
ALSO READ: Nquthu by-elections: No major incidents reported, says IEC
The IEC's Deputy Chairperson Terry Tselane says the voter turnout was high.
"We've had an increase in voter turn-out in this election in spite of the fact that it's not a public holiday. It is largely because this election has generated a lot of interest," he said.
The ANC's Mdumiseni Ntuli says the will of the people prevailed.
"We are a democratic organisation. We fought for this freedom and determined to defend it. Even if in some instances, our people decide that we will not be their choice of government, the services we provided here will continue. The water provision that Cogta has been working very hard to ensure that we supply water in the meantime, before a proper water reticulation is done in this area, will continue," he said.
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