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The African National Congress in eThekwini Region has once again showed strength following a landslide victory in the by-election in Ward 103.

As the Regional Executive Committee we want to pay tribute to the ANC leaders and volunteers of the ANC who campaigned together and demonstrated unity ahead of the by-election.

This ward, which was previously represented by the ANC, became vacant following the unfortunate death of an ANC councilor, Cde Minenhle Mkhize. Cde Minenhle was shot several times outside his home on the 22nd January this year.

He was loved by the community hence he was elected in the Local Government Elections in November last year. He replaced an independent councillor.

In the by-election yesterday, the ANC candidate Cde Jeffrey Linda Mchunu emerged victorious with 2595 votes (43.9%). 

An independent candidate and other political parties registered votes as follows:-

1.    Independent Candidate - 1806;

2.    Democratic Alliance -1293;

3.    Economic Freedom Fighters – 38;

4.    Inkatha Freedom Party - 28.

This is a clear indication that the community has confidence in the glorious movement of President Nelson Mandela who voted for the first time in a democratic election in Ohlange – Inanda under eThekwini Region on the 27th April 1994.

The ANC understands that the by-elections and municipal elections in general are about local conditions that our people experience in their daily lives.

Our revolutionary task demands that we deliver a better life for all and that we make the local government work for the ordinary members of society.

Ward 103 covers Cliffdale, KwaNyuswa, some parts of Embo, Molokohlo, Bucks Farm, , Drummond and some part of Botha’s Hill.

Acting in partnership with our communities, the ANC will ensure that the elected councillor hold regular meetings with the community. 

The ANC has reiterated to its councillors that communication is a vital tool in ensuring that the right kind of service is delivered to the communities.

We affirm our commitment as the new REC to make the local government work better and to bring the people to the centre of our programmes of service delivery.

In the coming days and months we shall be interacting with communities in branches to discuss with them - their experiences of service delivery.

We also want to learn from communities what needs to be done to ensure that our councilors remain accountable to you and that our commitments are fulfilled.

We want to ensure that the identified sectors of the economy create much needed jobs for local communities in order to recover from the devastating effects of recent floods and COVID-19.

We want our councillors to be at the forefront of local economic development and place local communities at the centre of our programmes.

Critically, we continue to receive calls and text messages from distressed communities. To this end, we have entrusted our deployees in eThekwini Municipality and other spheres of government to be closer to communities during this difficult period.

Importantly, we pay tribute to the municipal workers, civil servants in various spheres of government and volunteers for their dedication. The most urgent task is to restore electricity, running water and damaged infrastructure  such as roads in order to return peoples life to normalcy. We wish to salute all those who are involved.

We welcome an integrated approach adopted by the ANC-government and eThekwini Municipality. Having witnessed the magnitude of the damage and the resources that are required to fix the damage, we are encouraged by this integrated approach involving all role-players. We remain hopeful that this will assist in speeding up interventions required by affected communities throughout eThekwini Region.

Finally, we understand that funeral services will be taking place over the next few days. On behalf of REC and ANC in the region we extend our heartfelt condolences to all the families that lost their loved ones through these unfortunate incidents. While we know that no one can be blamed for this tragedy orchestrated by forces of nature, we sympathize with all our people who are going through difficulties.

Issued by the African National Congress in eThekwini Region