Umkhonto Wesizwe has beaten the ANC in one of its biggest former strongholds – KwaXimba in eThekwini – by winning the most votes at all the area’s voting stations.
KwaXimba was central to the divisive political campaigns between the ANC and MK and is where former president Jacob Zuma launched his party’s massive campaign in eThekwini earlier this year.
Zuma’s campaign put pressure on the ANC, which then sent ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula and former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize to campaign in the ward.
Soon afterwards, the ANC’s provincial treasurer, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, tried to organise a sporting event through the KZN sports, arts, and culture department.
The event was later cancelled.
KwaXimba, led by ANC councillor Musa Mkhize, played a key role in helping Zuma defeat former president Thabo Mbeki in 2007 at the Polokwane elective conference.
Another eThekwini ANC stronghold, Umlazi, also voted strongly for MK. Most of its sections, including R, N, P, Z, and W voted for the party.
The Ntolwane Primary School voting station in Zuma’s home town of Nkandla received over 700 votes for MK. The area received more votes for the IFP in previous elections.
ANC veteran Jeff Radebe gave away ANC T-shirts at a voting station in Newlands, Durban, but voters chased him away because they accused him of disrespecting the election process.
The outgoing Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, was also chased away from Lindelani township, where he was campaigning for the ANC.
MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said: “We really appreciate our voters who came in numbers to vote for change and a better life. They used this opportunity to show the current regime that its time of oppression has lapsed.”
Pictured above: The MK Party rally that stole loyal ANC voters in KwaXimba, west of Durban, earlier this year.
Image source: X
