The IFP is sitting comfortably in the KwaNongoma Municipality after winning the by-elections held on Wednesday.
The IFP’s seizure of two wards held by the NFP in Nongoma means that it now has enough seats to govern independently.
The IFP currently governs in partnership with the EFF and NAPF.
Winning Wednesday’s by-election means that the IFP now has 23 of the 45 seats in KwaNongoma Municipality.
The results mean that the IFP has independently managed 19 municipalities.
IFP spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said that winning two wards in KwaNongoma will restore stability to the council.
The IFP took all the wards where there were by-elections in KwaZulu-Natal as it also won in ward 12 in the BaQulusini Municipality.
This ward is managed by the ANC, the IFP lacks one seat to be able to manage the Qulusini Municipality independently.
The IFP has won 47 wards in the by-elections since 2021.
Hlengwa said winning the wards shows the speed of the team’s growth.
“It also shows great stability within and within the party’s structures. The results clearly show that people trust the IFP as a party that can bring stability and a dignified government. We wish to convey our happiness to the leaders, volunteers and members of the party who worked hard to get these good results. We urge our new councilors to work with honesty and integrity.”
Hlengwa said the IFP is showing growth in other provinces as well.
The IFP contested the by-election in two wards in the Eastern Cape, Buffalo City Municipality, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“Although we did not win, the growth of our support shows the growth of the IFP which is always in the hearts of the people of South Africa and who always want to support it.”
Hlengwa said they are paying close attention to the upcoming local government elections.
“We will ensure that our march towards the next local government elections is not interrupted.”
Nationally, the ANC lost another ward in the by-election in the Eastern Cape province.
The ward held by the ANC in Dr Beyers Naude Municipality was taken over by the PA.
The ANC won two wards in the Buffalo City Municipality and the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality.