ERMELO – The votes are in.

The DA has successfully retained Ward 7, following the by-elections held last Wednesday.

JJ Scholtz was elected as the ward councillor, serving until the next municipal election in 2026.

In a competitive race, the DA secured 346 votes (51.95%), the Patriotic Alliance (PA) garnered 180 (27.03%), the ANC received 140 (21.02%) and the Truth Party did not register any votes.

Concerns have emerged regarding voting accessibility for some residents. Both the DA and PA members reported that certain residents who have consistently voted in Ward 7 in the past were unable to participate in this by-election.

Specifically, the residents at the MOTH Club were mentioned. Although located within the Ward 7 boundaries and on the same premises, some registered voters found they could not vote as they were registered as Ward 6 residents.

Highvelder confirmed that several individuals had been unaware of their voting eligibility status until just before and on election day. Some parties’ members noted that the IEC would counter that these residents should have verified their names on the voters’ roll before the election.

Highvelder visited the voting stations at the Ella de Bruyn Hall and the fire station, where the turnout appeared low. Roughly 19% of the registered voters came out to vote.

Following the results, the main opposition party, the PA’s candidate, Juliette Basson, said: “Winning or coming in second, the Patriotic Alliance has grown incredibly. We will continue to fight hard for every resident of Msukaligwa. This is our home and together we will save it.”

Scholtz commented: “I am fully committed to my role and believe that real progress comes from a solution-oriented mindset. I see myself as a builder, not a breaker.

“While our goal as the DA is to make a positive impact in Ward 7, we also want to use our party’s blueprint to foster meaningful change across Ermelo. Together we can work towards a brighter future for our community. I will ensure that everyone feels heard and that their concerns are addressed to the best of my ability as a councillor.”

Read the complete article in Highvelder to also see the feedback from the IEC.