IFP snatches Umkomaas ward from ANC in by-election
The Inkatha Freedom Party has taken eThekwini ward 99 from the ANC after by-elections in Umkomaas.
For the opposition group, it's a major win in a previously ANC-dominated constituency.
The ward became vacant after the ruling party's councillor Mnqobi Molife was gunned down in September.
The DA withdrew from contesting Wednesday's vote, saying it was to give the Inkatha Freedom Party a chance to unseat the ANC.
The IFP's provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli says they are extremely pleased with their victory, which came with a margin of 1 783 votes.
READ: DA strikes deal with IFP, won't contest Umkomaas by-elections
"We acknowledge the fact that the DA decided not to put their candidates there so as to enable the opposition to liberate the people of that ward from the leadership that could not provide the services that they required."
Ntuli says the people of Umkomaas have been calling for change.
He says they are confident in councillor Jane Naidoo's ability to serve the community with dignity and diligence.
"We know that she has already started to do wonderful work for the community and we will be like all other new councillors that we got from the by-elections make her to sign the pledge that she will serve the people in manner that Prince Mangosuthu did."
