KZN political parties make final preparations ahead of by-elections

12 wards across nine municipalities have been given the thumbs up by the IEC to hold COVID-19 safe elections. 

The ANC will defend four seats. Three are in eThekwini. 

And the party's Nkandla member, Bheki Ndima says they're confident they'll secure Ward 13 despite the IFP holding a majority in the municipality. 

Ndima says they're counting on service delivery wins to secure votes.  

"We are proud that this is the only ward we are having about 80% when it comes to RDP houses. We were in a 100% completed service delivery when it comes to sanitation," he said. 

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The DA in eThekwini says it's been working hard to ensure that Ward 36, in Durban North, isn't snatched by the ANC. 

Last week, the parties blamed each another for the removal of campaign posters. 

Councillor Shontel De Boer says they are hoping to retain the ward and keep it under DA administration. 

"In fact, in the 10 months that I have been here, I have had quite a lot of achievement in the ward and I believe that if I'm elected as the actual ward councillor, I think I can achieve a whole lot more." 

Meanwhile, the NFP's Canaan Mdletshe says their approach is different. 

They will be focusing on rallying support this year.

The party previously won Ward 7 in uMvoti against the ANC, before its well-known former candidate resigned from the NFP and started his own party, which will make its debut this year. 

"We don't want to go contest a ward which is going to win. There is no need for us to waste our energy and resources in contesting that ward. We have conducted several door-to-doors, in Mtubatuba, Pongolo, Durban and Nquthu."