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[File photo] uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party members
The uMkhontho we Sizwe (MK Party)has secured its fourth municipal by-election victory in KwaZulu-Natal since the start of 2025, winning ward 18 of the Mandeni Municipality, on the North Coast.
This marks the second time former President Jacob Zuma’s party has wrestled control from the African National Congress (ANC), with the ruling party’s candidate trailing in third place.
The MK Party’s candidate, Lindani Xhakaza, claimed the ward with 41% of the vote, while the ANC garnered only 27%. This comes after the ANC’s Phendukani Mabhida had previously won the ward with a two-thirds majority in the 2021 municipal elections, before he was tragically gunned down in February.
Congratulations to Commander Lindani Xhakaza!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for the uMkhonto weSizwe Party..
Gwaza Mkhonto Gwaza 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rvbH3hB2LC
— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) April 30, 2025
Political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu says these consistent victories should serve as a warning to other political parties not to underestimate the MK Party.
“These by-elections should send a warning that the battle is not over yet. There are still more battles to be fought before the 2026 municipal elections. If other parties ignore the MK Party, they will do so at their own peril,” he states.
MK Party’s KwaZulu-Natal convenor, Willies Mchunu, thanked voters and expressed confidence about the party’s momentum heading into the next by-election in Mpofana Local municipality on May 14.
“We thank the people of ward 18 in Mandeni for rejecting the ANC and its GNU and voting MK. These are clear signs our votes were defrauded on 29 May 2024. We congratulate our first MK councillor in Mandeni, Lindani Xhakaza. MK is indeed unstoppable.”
The ANC was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, IEC provincial electoral officer Ntombifuthi Masinga confirmed that a presiding officer in Mandeni has been suspended for allegedly leaving a voting station to charge an elections management device. She assured that a full investigation is underway to uphold the integrity of the voting process.
