UNIONDALE NEWS - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has secured a significant victory in the Ward 25 by-election in Uniondale, part of the George municipal area, winning the seat with 1 042 votes (42.97%).
The result marks a major increase in support for the party, more than doubling its performance from the 2021 Local Government Elections, where it received 407 votes (19.2%).
Voters in the ward made their choice from a field of five candidates: Ruchiano Olyn representing the African National Congress (ANC), Jarques Denvar Esau for the Democratic Alliance (DA), Deon Godfrey Leminie for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Zane Jaquin Arends for the Patriotic Alliance (PA), and Zarina Mc White from the Truth and Solidarity Movement.
The final outcome for the parties was as follows: PA - 33.77% (819 votes), ANC - 14.39% (349 votes), EFF - 8.82% (214 votes) and Truth - 0.04% (1 vote).
The by-election was triggered after former ANC ward councillor Jarques Esau defected to the DA, vacating his seat and prompting a return to the polls.
In a notable turn of events, Esau has now been re-elected as ward councillor - this time under the DA banner.
His return to office suggests strong personal support within the community, despite the shift in party affiliation, and signals a broader change in political alignment among voters in the ward.
Reacting to the outcome, DA Western Cape Leader Tertuis Simmers described the result as a clear message from voters: “The DA secured an enormous victory in George today, taking Ward 25 away from the ANC while more than doubling the vote received in the last Local Government Elections.”
New Ward Councillor Jarques Esau
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
