By-election boost for ANC ahead of 2026, MK party left empty-handed

The African National Congress (ANC) has emerged strong in the latest by-elections, securing three of the four contested wards across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Northern Cape. The party not only retained key wards but also snatched one from a rival civic movement, while the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party came away empty-handed.

In a show of growing momentum ahead of the 2026 local government elections, the ANC held on to its positions in Freedom Park and Motsoaledi (Johannesburg) and Mpofana (KwaZulu-Natal), while also winning a ward previously held by the Namakwa Civic Movement in the Northern Cape.

We didn’t win Ward 24 in Johannesburg and Ward 4 in Mpofana. Our Volunteers and Candidates fought a good fight against abuse of State resources, intimidation and threats by GNU forces. uMKhonto weSizwe remains a formidable force and will remain as such! We are not a small or… pic.twitter.com/di3Q1BdTU8

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) May 14, 2025

The Democratic Alliance (DA) managed to retain control of Ward 9 in Stellenbosch.

ANC leadership welcomed the results, describing them as a clear sign of renewed public trust and a boost to their efforts in regaining political ground, particularly in the Johannesburg metro.

“The party welcomes the recent by-election results and expresses its full gratitude to the people of Ward 24, Greater Johannesburg Region, for their strong demonstration of commitment to the ANC. The ANC lives, the ANC leads,” the party said on Wednesday, according to The Citizen.

MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu responded to the losses by accusing the Government of National Unity (GNU) of using state resources and intimidation to sway the outcomes. Despite the setback, Shivambu remained defiant and committed to future political battles.

“We didn’t win Ward 24 in Johannesburg and Ward 4 in Mpofana. Our Volunteers and Candidates fought a good fight against abuse of State resources, intimidation and threats by GNU forces,” Shivambu stated.

“uMKhonto weSizwe remains a formidable force and will remain as such! We are not a small or regional party. Let’s fight on Commanders. We will correct all these in 2026 and 2029. No surrender! No retreat! #GwazaMkhontoGwaza!”

The MK party is now turning its attention to upcoming by-elections in Ngwathe, Free State, scheduled for 28 May, hoping to make up ground lost in the latest round of contests.

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Sourced:African Insider

Picture: Getty Images