ELECTION NEWS - While the DA is engaged in national negotiations with the ANC to keep the MK and EFF out of the seats of power, the DA is very happy with its performance in the Western Cape and Garden Route.
Along the Garden Route the DA has seen over 50% support for the party in George, Knysna and Hessequa with Bitou just 2,5% short of the magic figure. Mossel Bay brought the DA a near two third majority with 66,3% of the vote.
Results from these areas have been “symbolic” of what happened across the Western Cape as a whole, said Helen Zille, chair of the DA Federal Council.
“We were thrilled to win back an overall majority in George of 52%. That is a major milestone and is symbolic of what happened across the Western Cape as a whole.
“In particular, voters voted for the DA in municipalities governed by the ANC/PA. They have seen the devastating consequences of ANC/PA coalitions in Knysna and Beaufort West and turned to the DA in their thousands as a result.
“We are very grateful to all those who remained true to the blue,” said Zille.
In George the DA won 52,04 % of the vote, followed by the ANC with 18,79% and the PA with 15,54%.
In Knysna the DA won 50,98%, the ANC 26,54 and the PA 12,6%. The DA’s growing support could be due to the infrastructure and service delivery problems plaguing the town under the ruling ANC, PA and EFF coalition.
Newcomer, Action SA, could only muster 0,27%, less than the 0,5% of the other newcomer, MK.
In Bitou the DA polled 47,54%, the ANC 30,24% and the PA 11,68%.
Other parties in Bitou performed as follows: EFF 4,33%; MK 1%; VF Plus 0,73% and Action SA 0,49%.
In Mossel Bay the DA got 66,3% support, in Hessequa (Riversdal) 57,63% of the vote; in Kannaland (Ladismith) almost 47% and in Oudtshoorn it achieved 40,32%.
According to Knysna constituency head Dion George, the significance of the Knysna outcome where the DA won over 50% of the vote, is that it now has the numbers to defeat the ANC, PA, EFF coalition, or the “Coalition of Corruption” as labelled by George.
He said another significant outcome of the election was that Gayton McKenzie’s PA “disappointed”.
“Where the PA governs it has lost support,” said George, pointing out that it had lost in three wards in Beaufort West where it governed.
“People have seen what they do, and then don’t vote for them again.”
ANC comment added on Tuesday 4 June at 15:45
Moyisi Magalela, ANC Southern Cape Regional Spokesperson, said the ANC has shown a decrease across the country, not only in the Southern Cape.
“Challenges that faced the ANC are of national origin and not limited to the region.”
Magalela said the DA maintained its majority in the entire province - not only in the Southern Cape.
Knysna-Plett Herald has requested comment from the PA.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
