By-election boost for PA

RISE: MCKENZIE'S PARTY GIVES DA A BLOODY NOSE IN ITS TRADITIONAL CAPE STRONGHOLD >>→ Absence of GOOD party, PBI from ballot signficant in outcome.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Mountain biker Travis Warwick-Oliver, from Hilton, rides with members of OSSUR during the Team Absa training camp in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, over the weekend.

(Rajesh Jantilal)

The victory by Gayton McKenzie's Patriotic Alliance (PA) in two ward by-elections in the Western Cape on Wednesday is an indication of its growing popularity and political consolidation in a DA-dominated province.

In the same breath, the results were a sign of how the DA's factionalism and its participation in the government of national unity is beginning to impact its electoral fortunes, say experts.

In George, Western Cape PA’s Raphael Goeieman scooped ward 17 with 59.98% of the total votes cast.

The seat was previously held by the DA in the 2021 local elections with 39.86% of the votes. This time, the party got 38%. Wednesday’s voter turnout was 54.07%.