Today (23 October 2024), the Democratic Alliance (DA) comfortably retained both Ward 7 in Ermelo, Msukaligwa Local Municipality and Ward 24 in eMalahleni Local Municipality with an increased majority in these important by-elections. It was very clear that voters chose to unite behind the DA once again.
The DA clinched Ward 7 (Msukaligwa), having increased our percentage of the vote from 41% in the 2024 Provincial Elections to 51,95% in todays’ by-election (11% increase). We also clinched Ward 24 (eMalahleni) with an increased majority of 88,52% from 58% which we received in 2024 (30,52% increase).
Doctor Jacob Johannes (JJ) Scholtz, takes up the position of Ward 7 councillor in Msukaligwa, while Karien Mc Diarmid was elected councillor of Ward 24 in eMalahleni.
These results show that voter confidence in the ability of the DA to get things done continues to increase in towns and cities across the Mpumalanga Province. It is the DA’s track record of honest, transparent and people-centred governance that South Africans want wherever they reside.
The DA will continue to work tirelessly in Ward 7 and Ward 24, and across the entire province. We wish our newly elected Ward Cllrs the greatest success. We have full confidence that they will continue to deliver on the DA’s values to the communities that elected them to serve.
These victories give a boost to our momentum and planning for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Lastly, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Campaign Teams, our staff, our activists and our Public Reps who worked day and night on these by-elections. Most of all, thank you so much to every voter who gave their vote to the DA.