The Democratic Alliance (DA) today retained Ward 2 (Somerset East) in the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality, following a tightly contested by-election.
The DA’s Jonathan Martin emerged victorious and received 53,5% of the valid votes cast. This results indicates growth after the DA received 50,26% of the vote in this ward in the 2019 National and Provincial Elections.
The by-election was also contested by the African National Congress (ANC) the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
This result is a vote of confidence in the DA, and the endorsement from the voters proves that the DA remains on track ahead of the 2021 local government elections.
It is also a clear indication that the residents of the Blue Crane Route Municipality are tired of being neglected and ignored by an uncaring ANC government.
Over the past two weeks there has been a surge of support for the DA in rural Eastern Cape.
On 23 October 2019 the DA contested the Ward 34 (Hofmeyr) by-election in Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality and grew by almost 15%. Our support increased from 33,08% in the 2019 National and Provincial Elections to 47,71% in this by-election.
We are grateful to voters for giving us this mandate and we don’t take it lightly.
Only a DA government can provide the people of Blue Crane Route and the Eastern Cape with good, transparent governance and deliver the services they deserve.