The African National Congress (ANC) has successfully taken outright control of the Hantam municipality in the Northern Cape after a recent by-election held on 18th December 2024. This municipality was previously a hung council following the 2021 local government elections. In those elections, the ANC secured six seats, falling short of a majority by one seat. However, after the 2024 by-election, the ANC retained its five seats and gained an additional seat from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which had won four seats in the 2021 elections. As a result, the DA now holds only three seats, while the Patriotic Alliance, Namakwa Civic Movement and the Freedom Front Plus maintained their one seat from 2021. This shift marks a significant change in the political landscape of the municipality and highlights the important role that by-elections have played in reshaping the balance of power in hung councils across South Africa.
Author: Boikanyo
