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The IFP has shown tremendous growth in all wards it contested in yesterdays by-election. The results have been astounding, especially in voting districts which we have had a slight showing before.

I wish to express my gratitude on behalf of our President, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, to all our supporters and residents which came out to vote in their numbers for the IFP yesterday.

The IFP’s growth in eThekwini, Chatsworth Ward 71 increased 12 fold (1146%) from 50 votes in 2016 to over 623 in this year’s by-election. We are extremely pleased that our support has grown among the predominantly Indian community, showing that we are truly a party of social cohesion.

The IFP’s participation and result in Chatsworth helps mainly the residents of Bottlebrush and Shallcross because the ANC will have to focus on delivering services to those areas, something they have not done in the past ten years.

We do note with concern the sudden move by the IEC to move the polling station with very little information provided to residents in Ward 71 within 24 hours before the by-election date and without provided a suitable explanation for the sudden change of venue, which caused uncertain amongst voters and an inconvenience to all political parties.

Moreover, The IFP Councillors in eThekwini will engage the Municipality on the abuse of state resources by the ANC in allocating municipal vehicles operating the entire day and branded with “community participation” to assist the ANC in getting residents to vote. We strongly condemn this gross abuse of state resources and unfair tactics deployed by the ANC to win this ward.

Further to our growth in Ward 71, we retained Ward 3 in Mthonjaneni, with a total support increase of 8% since 2016 and in Richards Bay’s (Umhlatuze) Ward 3; we had a strong showing and presence in the ward.

Our results in the past three by-elections certainly serve as a springboard for next year’s National General Election. The IFP is growing stronger in every election!

Issued by IFP