The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party snatched another ward from the African National Congress (ANC) in Wednesday’s Mandeni Ward 18 by-election.

MK Party candidate Lindani Xhakaza secured the ward with 813 votes, ahead of the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Nkosiyapha Zulu (575) and the ANC’s Sanele Mathonsi (533).

 Voter turnout stood at 48.18%, with 1 957 ballots cast from a registered population of 4 062.

The ward seat became vacant following the death of ANC councillor, Phendukani Mabhida, who was gunned down at his home in Sundumbili in February.

Before his death, Mabhida had written to Mandeni council speaker, Phindile Sishi, requesting to be excused from council meetings. In his letter, he voiced fears over tensions with ANC colleagues and claimed he was being targeted for speaking out against corruption and mismanagement within the municipality.

ANC voters who had previously elected Mabhida turned to the MK Party instead of his party successor, Mathonsi, however.

The by-election victory is the second for the MK Party in iLembe this year, following the big win in KwaDukuza’s Ward 28 (Shakaskraal) last month. Those are the only two by-elections that have been held in iLembe since the MK Party was founded, meaning they have a flawless record to date.

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