The DA won the by-election that was held in Kareeberg Municipality on June 1 where the new councillor for Ward 4, Johan Hendrik Vermeulen, received 42.77 percent of the vote.
THE DA won the by-election that was held in Kareeberg Municipality on June 1 where the new councillor for Ward 4, Johan Hendrik Vermeulen, received 42.77 percent of the vote.
The seat was previously held by the ANC, which won the ward with 32.53 percent of the vote in the 2021 local government elections.
The seat became vacant after the councillor resigned.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) indicated that there was a 72.83 percent voter turn-out.
The ward was contested by the ANC, PA, DA, EFF and the Kareeberg Civic Movement.
The ANC received 32.59 percent of the vote, followed by the EFF with 19.76 percent, while
the PA garnered 0.61 percent and the Kareeberg Civic Movement clinched 4.28 percent.
DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa said they celebrated “phenomenal growth” after they won the ward in Carnarvon.
“Our additional seat in council will now see us considering the possibility of setting up a coalition agreement in Kareeberg Municipality,” said McGluwa.
“DA support grew significantly from 94 votes (13.35 percent) in the local government elections last year to 210 votes (42.77 percent) during the by-elections.”
McGluwa added that Vermeulen was well known to residents and was dedicated and passionate about serving the community.
“He will also not rest until he can see a visible improvement in service delivery in Ward 4.
“The DA secured a resounding victory despite the significant handouts of thousands of rand to local SMMEs and entrepreneurs in Carnarvon over the past weeks. This gives us hope that people are no longer willing to have their votes bought and that they are looking for the best possible solutions to the growing number of problems they are facing, and not mere handouts.”
McGluwa believed that the “dire state” of Kareeberg Municipality made voters realise that they needed an alternative government.
