The DA has retained ward 7 in Ladybrand, in the Mantsopa Local Municipality after a fiercely contested by-election held yesterday, 17 January. The favourable outcome confirmed Leon Nicolas Van Wyk as the party’s new councillor.
This means the DA still has four seats in the Mantsopa council.
Van Wyk replaced long-serving member Tania Halse, who vacated the position after the party recommended her to serve in Parliament. The incoming DA councillor beat three opposition parties’ candidates to become councillor of ward 7. Opposition candidates were Motumi David Madonsela (ANC), the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) Koba Magriet Van Wyk, and Mamajemane Arcelia Sekolanyane of the Truth and Solidarity Movement (TSM).
According to the Electoral Commission (IEC), the DA received 58.72% (1 061 votes), slightly lower compared to 62.65% received during the 2021 municipal elections. The rivalling ANC got 38.35% (693 votes), the EFF got 2.66% (48 votes), and TSM received (0.28% (5 votes). According to IEC, the voter turnout was 45.24% for the by-election while in the 2021 municipal election the voter turnout was 46,95% for ward 7.
