EFF fails to win Metsimaholo ward over ‘big elephant’ ANC
The party's national spokesperson thanked the party's supporters for their votes.
EFF leader Julius Malema speaks during the party’s media conference regarding coalitions on August 17, 2016 in Alexandra, South Africa. The EFF announced that it will not form coalitions with other parties but would vote for the DA in the big cities. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Felix Dlangamandla)
The ANC won all the municipalities it contested during the by-elections on Wednesday.
However, according to EFF national spokesperson and MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, the EFF managed to reduce ANC votes in Metsimaholo from 768 to 492. Ndlozi says his three-year-old party moved from 258 to 374 votes, and “that’s 116 more souls who believe in the EFF and who put us at number two, all in less than five months”.
The ANC retained the highly contested Ward 12, Metsimaholo Municipality, in the Free State Province. #ANCVictory
— African National Congress (@MYANC) February 2, 2017
“To all the ground forces of Metsimaholo and all who came to join in the fight against the ANC; I salute you! It was priceless to fight by your side.
“The elephant is big; but yesterday, before you put up a fight it was huge and an impossible mission. But you reduced them from 768 to 492. That’s a 276 difference.
“The lesson of all these numbers is; when we work hard, we increase our support.
“I am proud of all of you and we shall overcome!”
The ANC took to Twitter to celebrate their win, saying that the people of Metsimaholo “rejected the inexperienced Economic Freedom Fighters”.
“The people of Metsimaholo have rejected the inexperienced the Economic Freedom Fighters who had high hopes of winning Ward 12.”
The ANC also won a ward in George, in the Western Cape, a province considered to be the DA’s stronghold.
“#ANC won a Ward from the Democratic Alliance in George, Western Cape, the province that the @Our_DA considers as its stronghold.
“Moreover, the people of George rejected the @Our_DA , by ensuring that the ANC wins Ward 11, in George.
“The overwhelming support of the people, ensured that #ANC retains both Ward 03, Umzimvubu, EC, & Ward 25 in George, WC.
“These results confirm the people’s confidence in the governing party and their movement, the ANC.
“Results are testament that no other party has the proven track record, experience & vision to unite the people of SA & move our country forward.
“We do not take this support for granted & call on the elected public representatives to work hard to resolve our people’s problems.”
