The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has romped to victory in the Ward 2 by-election in the uMvoti Municipality, defeating the African National Congress (ANC) and the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC). 

The ward became vacant after ANC councillor Mdu Ngcobo died in a car accident last year. 

The IFP's candidate received 1 052 votes to beat the ANC, ABC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The party won 53.13% of the votes, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, which pegged voter turnout at 50.72% in the Matimatolo ward during the 14 May polls. 

The IFP had won 47.05% of the vote during the 2021 municipal elections.

The ANC only got 24% of the votes, and the ABC 19%. 

In an interview with News24, new IFP councillor Zwakushiwo Zondi wasted no time in attacking ABC president Philani Mavundla, calling him a "power hungry and jealous man", who he said was now probably going to "try his luck" in the legislature. 

Mavundla recently resigned as eThekwini deputy mayor after disagreements with the ANC.

He also dropped the IFP as a coalition partner after a fallout in uMvoti. 

Mavundla, who was the former mayor of uMvoti when he was still an ANC member, was recently appointed as an advisor to Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini.

Zondi said the IFP would continue to grow "because we don't lie to the people".

"The community is delighted by the outcome. I'm very happy that they've placed their faith in us. We last saw service delivery in around 2009 or 2012," he added.

"Everything was fine then. People started remembering those times when service delivery still reached them."

He said that during the door-to-door campaign, the IFP had only asked for a chance, basing this on the party's record.

He acknowledged that roads had been fixed, but he added that water and unemployment were still major issues in the ward.

Zondi said: 

The first order of business is to address the issues plaguing the ward. It's winter and we're going to try to get this water issue fixed. Whatever the community complains about, we're going to try to fix.

He also took digs at the ANC. 

"They brought the big people, but we still beat them," Zondi said, in reference to national ANC leaders' visits in May. 

The ANC deployed first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to campaign in the area last month.

The IFP's victory comes just weeks after the ANC's national leaders descended on the province to scold its provincial leadership for poor performance in governance and in by-elections. 

When they visited in May, the party had won only four out of 12 by-elections since the ANC's provincial elective conference. 

IFP provincial chairperson Thami Ntuli echoed Zondi's statement about voters' trust.

"The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal continues to grow from by-election to by-election and has achieved another remarkable feat," Ntuli said. 

"This victory is a testament to the trust and confidence the community has in the IFP as the best alternative to address their challenges."

He said the by-election victory was a testament to the "enduring legacy" of IFP founder Mangosuthu Buthelezi, whose leadership continued to resonate with supporters. 

"Despite [Mavundla's] high-profile candidacy, the ABC could not secure victory," Ntuli added.  

"This outcome reinforces the people's unwavering belief in the IFP as the party that best understands and addresses their needs.

"It is essential to highlight the challenges the IFP faced during this campaign. The ANC resorted to the unfair use of state resources at government events for their campaign in uMvoti. Such actions undermine the democratic process and create an uneven playing field.

"We acknowledge their faith in the IFP's ability to champion their concerns and deliver meaningful change to their lives. We will not disappoint them."

Meanwhile, the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the ANC had retained its seats in Eastern Cape by-elections in Ward 5 of the Kou-Kamma Municipality and Ward 2 in the Port St Johns Municipality. The Democratic Alliance  saw a significant growth in Port St Johns, from 4.43% in 2021 to 21.67% in 2023.