Image: Inspired Pencil
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has clinched a significant victory in the Ward 26 by-election, wresting control of the municipal seat from the long-dominant African National Congress (ANC) in a result described by the party as a sign of deepening voter dissatisfaction with poor service delivery.
The DA’s Sonja Liebenberg was sworn in as the new councilor following the poll, unseating a ward previously held by an ANC official who was allegedly implicated in a rape scandal, according to the DA. The party Mpumalanga provincial leader, Jane Sithole, hailed the outcome as a major turning point, suggesting it signals a growing trend ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“This historic victory in Mpumalanga signals continued voter confidence and great momentum as we make inroads in ANC strongholds,” Sithole stated. She argued that voters from diverse communities are now endorsing the DA’s “proven track record of good governance,” while simultaneously rejecting what she termed the “corruption and failed policies” that have historically limited community opportunities.
The victory comes amid intensifying national debate over the failure of local governments to provide basic services, a factor Sithole highlighted, noting that residents of Ward 26 had been “subjected topoor service delivery for far too long.”
The growing trend of voters abandoning the ANC in traditional strongholds reflects a significant shift in political priorities across the country. Increasingly, voters are prioritizing tangible service delivery and accountability over historical party loyalty or election promises.
The reason is simple: for communities battling regular water outages, sanitation crises, and crumbling infrastructure, like those described in Ward 26—the rhetoric of political campaigns no longer holds value. Voters are demanding a practical contract: tax money for reliable services. The promise of future development, when contrasted with years of neglect and alleged corruption (such as the scandal involving the previous ward councilor), is being met with mass rejection at the ballot box. This by-election serves as a clear warning to all governing parties that citizens are now using their votes to punish failures in performance, signaling that only demonstrable delivery will earn them the mandate in 2026.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has clinched a significant victory in the Ward 26 by-election, wresting control of the municipal seat from the long-dominant African National Congress (ANC) in a result described by the party as a sign of deepening voter dissatisfaction with poor service delivery.
The DA’s Sonja Liebenberg was sworn in as the new councilor following the poll, unseating a ward previously held by an ANC official who was allegedly implicated in a rape scandal, according to the DA. The party Mpumalanga provincial leader, Jane Sithole, hailed the outcome as a major turning point, suggesting it signals a growing trend ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“This historic victory in Mpumalanga signals continued voter confidence and great momentum as we make inroads in ANC strongholds,” Sithole stated. She argued that voters from diverse communities are now endorsing the DA’s “proven track record of good governance,” while simultaneously rejecting what she termed the “corruption and failed policies” that have historically limited community opportunities.
The victory comes amid intensifying national debate over the failure of local governments to provide basic services, a factor Sithole highlighted, noting that residents of Ward 26 had been “subjected topoor service delivery for far too long.”
The growing trend of voters abandoning the ANC in traditional strongholds reflects a significant shift in political priorities across the country. Increasingly, voters are prioritizing tangible service delivery and accountability over historical party loyalty or election promises.
The reason is simple: for communities battling regular water outages, sanitation crises, and crumbling infrastructure, like those described in Ward 26—the rhetoric of political campaigns no longer holds value. Voters are demanding a practical contract: tax money for reliable services. The promise of future development, when contrasted with years of neglect and alleged corruption (such as the scandal involving the previous ward councilor), is being met with mass rejection at the ballot box. This by-election serves as a clear warning to all governing parties that citizens are now using their votes to punish failures in performance, signaling that only demonstrable delivery will earn them the mandate in 2026.
