Patriotic Alliance captures DA ward in Swartland by-election

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has won Ward 11 in the Swartland Municipality, taking the seat from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a by-election held on 10 June. The result gives the PA representation on the Swartland Municipal Council.

Decisive result

Raymond Ricardo Mains was elected as the new councillor after the PA received 53.26% of the votes cast in the ward. Voter turnout in the by-election was 58.15%.

Change of control in Ward 11

The PA captured the ward from the DA, which had held the seat since the 2021 municipal elections. The result marks the PA’s first seat on the Swartland council.

Broader significance

According to The South African, “this victory will be viewed as an important breakthrough for the PA in the Western Cape, a province traditionally dominated by the DA.”

According to The South African, “the result also continues a broader trend of the PA making electoral inroads in municipalities across the country, particularly in communities where the party has focused its campaigning efforts on local service delivery and community issues.”

According to The South African, “for the DA, the loss of Ward 11 represents a setback in one of its traditional strongholds and is likely to prompt renewed efforts to consolidate support ahead of future elections.”

What this means locally

With the PA now holding Ward 11, Raymond Ricardo Mains will represent ward residents on the Swartland Municipal Council under the PA banner.

Background voting figures

The PA increased its share in the ward compared with the 2021 Local Government Elections, when it received 44.93% of the vote in the ward.