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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is contesting the Sol Plaatje, Ward 1 by-election on 11 October 2023.

This is the second by-election to take place in this particular ward this year. Since the ANC gained the ward on 22 February 2023, they have let community members down by failing to produce on elaborate electioneering promises. In fact, it is the ANC’s empty promises that caused this by-election in the first place, following their councillor’s resignation and admissions of shame about the ANC’s failures.

Without Ward 1 under their belts, the ANC holds 32 seats in Sol Plaatje. The opposition also collectively holds 32 seats. This means that a win for the DA could kickstart negotiations with other parties to unseat the ANC in the Northern Cape’s capital municipality and establish a multi-party government.

During our launch of the DA’s candidate, Jocelyn Hart, at the Begonia Shanties in Roodepan today, we appealed to voters to stop enabling the ANC from further wrecking Sol Plaatje and to help restore stability and service delivery to the greater Kimberley area, by getting behind the DA and voting for Jocelyn.

Jocelyn was born and raised in Roodepan. She is a long-term activist of the DA and is hardworking, committed and service driven. We are confident that she will prove to be a dependable councillor on whom Ward 1 residents can count to raise their grievances and help get things done.

We also ask voters to take note that it is the DA that has been putting pressure on Sol Plaatje to repair the city’s water infrastructure, that has taken sewerage complaints to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and is now pushing for criminal charges and that is exposing financial irregularities and reporting them to the Special Investigative Unit (SIU), amongst other things. It is also the DA that is fighting against the ANC’s race quotas act, the Nersa electricity increases and cadre deployment bill.

The Ward 1 by-election presents voters with an opportunity to remove the ANC from power in Sol Plaatje, to rescue Kimberley and to start the process of rebuilding the city.

Eligible voters, who are registered in parts of Roodepan and part of Platfontein, should utilize the power of their vote on 11 October, for the greater good all Sol Plaatje residents.

Issued by Harold McGluwa MPL - DA Northern Cape Provincial Leader