The African National Congress (ANC) has retained two Eastern Cape municipal wards in by-elections held this week, the Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) said on Friday.

The ANC’s Bongani Julius Tshoba beat Mamorapedi Tsoloane of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at Elundini Municipality’s ward 12. The ward was previously represented by the ANC and became vacant after the councillor died. Voter turnout was 47 percent.

At Buffalo City, Boy-Boy Kalani of the ANC won ward 27, beating the Democratic Alliance (DA), EFF and the United Front of the Eastern Cape (UFEC).

The ward became vacant after the ANC terminated the previous councillor’s party membership.

"The ANC retained the ward, increasing its margin to 96.79 percent of the votes cast, as compared to 88.72 percent in the 2016 municipal elections. Ward voter turnout was 42.11," said the IEC.