The Democratic Alliance (DA) announced on Thursday seven wins in by-elections held across the country, attributing the victories to “a powerful vote of confidence” in the party’s policies and leadership.

Fourteen municipal ward by-elections took place on Wednesday in the Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape.

The by-elections were contested by an independent candidate and 51 political party candidates from 13 political parties. 

“These victories are more than just electoral successes; they are a powerful vote of confidence in the DA's policies, leadership, and our commitment to saving South Africa,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.

He said the by-election results were a “clear indication” of the trust that South Africans had in the DA to deliver effective governance and improve citizens’ lives.

In the Western Cape, the party successfully secured victories in Cederberg, Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

In Ward 2, Cederberg, the party surged from 15.96% in 2021 to 40.58% in 2024.

In Ward 17, in Stellenbosch, the DA’s support grew from 74.81% in 2021 to 96.28% in 2024 and in Ward 58 in Cape Town, the party increased support from 84.44% in 2021 to 98.32% in 2024.

In the North West, the DA won the ward in Madibeng, and in Gauteng, it won wards in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

Steenhuisen highlighted that in Ward 92 in Tshwane, the DA grew from 33.6% in 2021 to 59.17% in 2024, while in Ward 89 in Johannesburg, the party’s support increased from 68.1% in 2021 to 96.34% in 2024.

In Ward 87 in Johannesburg, the DA grew from 65.2% in 2021 to 83.17% in 2024.

Steenhuisen said the DA was trusted by voters, “whether on a national level, where we fulfil our promise to govern in the best interest of the country, or at the local level, where we consistently demonstrate that where we govern, we govern well, to the benefit of all people”.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said that the DA was highly encouraged by the results in Tshwane, reaffirming that voters believe in the DA’s ability and proven track record of good, clean governance.