By Celani Sikhakhane
KwaZulu-Natal ANC’s bid to gain support from Ngizwe Mchunu for Nkandla by-elections has failed.
The IFP won the by-elections held in the Mabhuqwini area, Ward 2 in Nkandla, and Mthonjaneni Ward 6 in Melmoth.
Mchunu, a Zuma ally involved in the July 2021 unrest who is also the president of the Bhinca Nation, still wields significant influence and support in KZN’s politics and entertainment industry.
On Monday, ANC leaders, including Sboniso Duma, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, and celebrity influencer Ngizwe Mchunu travelled to Nkandla through the government’s Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to host a traditional dance event (indlamu) in the ward.
However, their efforts did not sway the results, and the IFP emerged as the clear winner.
The ANC received only 383 votes, while the IFP secured an outright majority with 1,363 votes. In Mthonjaneni Ward 6, the IFP won with 1,377 votes, followed by the ANC with 727 votes, and the EFF and an independent candidate trailing far behind.
Thami Ntuli, the IFP provincial chair, expressed his satisfaction with the results and said the victory sends a clear message to ANC MECs that their affiliation with the party no longer holds much value in the eyes of KZN communities.
Ntuli also criticised the ANC’s tactics of using government departments to campaign during by-elections only to disappear afterwards.
Political analyst Professor Siphamandla Zondi of the University of Johannesburg commented on the state of the ANC in KZN, describing it as a “sinking ship”.
Zondi suggested that Dr Sbu Ndebele and Zweli Mkhize, former chairpersons of the party in KZN, are needed to save the party, as they had an intelligent strategy that helped the ANC gain control of IFP strongholds from 2004 onwards.
Pictured above: Bhinca Nation president and July unrest suspect Ngizwe Mchunu, KZN Sports, Arts and Culture Mec Dr Ntuthuko Junda Mahlaba and Economic Development and Environment Affairs Mec Sboniso Duma in Nkandla ahead of the Ward 2 by-election
Image Source: Supplied
