THE DA has emerged victorious and retained Ward 64 despite strong political pressure from smaller political parties during a by-election held yesterday (September 17).

The party received 3197 votes in Ward 64, securing a commanding majority of 63%. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) garnered 1141 votes, amounting to 22,49% of the total.

Also read: Former Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter faces State cross-examination next month

The ANC secured just 516 votes, representing 10.17% of the total in this by-election. They were followed by Rise Mzansi with 139 votes (2.74%).

The EFF received 73 votes (1.44%) while the ARA received seven votes and the PRM received only one vote.

Provincial Electoral officer Ntombifuthi Masinga said the by-election occurred as a result of the resignation of the Ward 64 councillor (Gavin Hegter). “By law we needed to call the by-election within 90 days of the vacancy occurring.

“Ward 64 is one of the big wards in eThekwini Municipality with over 21 000 voters registered. Eight voting stations were opened; across all of them we had a total voting population of over 21 000 and the two biggest voting stations are Yellowwood Park Hall and Montclair Recreational Hall with each holding over 4000 voters,” said Masinga.

She said there was a bit of a commotion in Montclair Recreational Hall with noise at the tables and tents outside the voting stations.

Also read: Ratepayers association criticises eThekwini’s unused R1b

“The parties were getting a bit rowdy, but it was managed by the police working with metro police,” she added.

The elected DA Ward candidate, Norman Gilbert, also serves as the chairperson of the Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA).

Gilbert defeated his rivals:

• Babongile Nqashi (ANC),
• Stanley Dlamini (MKP),
• Jaquelene Goncalves (Rise Mzansi),
• Stephen Gwadela (EFF),
• Pretesh Patel (PRM)
• Kamala Thomas (ARM).

What happens next?

• The municipal manager of eThekwini Municipality, Musa Mbhele, will be notified of the outcome of the election.
• The winning candidate will be sworn in as a councillor by the Speaker of eThekwini Municipality (Thabani Nyawose).
• The new councillor will take the oath of office in accordance with the Municipal Structures Act and Constitution
• The councillor will resume his duties in the ward and attend council meetings and represent the ward.

Gilbert thanked all the people who voted for the DA and encouraged residents to work with him as the ward councillor.

As he is still with the BRRA, he said in the upcoming meeting he will step down and hand over the reins to deputy chairperson Allison Schoeman.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of ward 64. I will continue to advocate for them to the best of my ability, ensuring they receive the quality service delivery they rightfully deserve,” Gilbert added.

For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.