Although the DA won the by-election in ward 17 of Drakenstein yesterday (November 24), it can be considered a bittersweet victory for the political party.
The by-election was held here after the DA councillor, Jako Matthee, resigned. This ward consists of the Northern Paarl town area as well as the Nieuwedrift farm area of ??Paarl north.
The DA narrowly won the election with 797 of the votes against the VF+’s 661 votes. In the 2021 municipal election, the DA won here with 2 250 votes against the VF+’s 366 votes.
At the NGK Paarlberg polling station in Paarl, the VF+ did however enjoy the majority of residents’ votes.
It is clear that the DA’s support in this ward of Drakenstein has fallen enormously, from 79.96% of the area’s support in 2021 to 49.47% support in the latest election.
The ANC’s support also grew by 5.34% and the EFF by 0.25%.
The DA’s Lorraine Cyster now takes over the reins as councilor for ward 17.
