By-election results: Gayton McKenzie gloats after PA’s win over DA
Western Cape by-elections this week highlighted growing electoral volatility in the province, with the PA securing a notable gain in Stellenbosch.
Black News 
The Western Cape by-elections held this week have highlighted growing electoral volatility in the province, with the Patriotic Alliance (PA) securing a notable gain in Stellenbosch while the Democratic Alliance (DA) captured a ward previously held by the African National Congress (ANC) in George.
The results, confirmed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), come amid increasing political competition ahead of the 2026/27 local government elections.
Major upset in Stellenbosch
In Ward 16 (Cloetesville) of the Stellenbosch Municipality, Elsabe Vermeulen delivered a significant victory for the PA, taking a seat previously controlled by the DA.
The outcome followed a notable political shift, with former DA ward councillor Vermeulen defecting to the PA and successfully defending her seat under her new party banner.
The PA secured 39.48% of the vote, overturning the DA’s previous stronghold, where it had recorded 47.65% in the 2021 municipal elections.
Voter turnout stood at 46.51%, reflecting strong engagement in a closely contested ward.
PA president Gayton McKenzie was quick to express his delight on social media at the result.
In a Facebook post entitled ‘Blue Wall is broken‘, McKenzie posted: ‘If you understand politics, you will appreciate the gravity of this result (I will elaborate later).
‘Patriots I have no words for now, I’m speechless currently. Let me saviour (sic) this win, I will write about the importance of this victory shortly.
‘Thank you 
‘
DA takes ANC seat in George
In Ward 25 (Uniondale) of the George Municipality, Jarques Denvar Esau won the seat for the DA, taking it from the ANC following another high-profile defection.
Esau, a former ANC councillor, retained the ward under DA colours, with the party increasing its support to 42.97%, up from 29.80% in 2021.
The ANC suffered a sharp decline, dropping to 14%, while the PA emerged as a strong contender with 34%. The EFF maintained a steady 9% share. Voter turnout in the ward reached 58.23%.
Shifting political landscape
The results suggest the PA is expanding its footprint into areas traditionally dominated by the DA, while the DA continues to consolidate gains against the ANC in certain rural and semi-rural parts of the province.
For the ANC, the loss in George adds to ongoing concerns about declining influence in the Western Cape, where it has struggled to maintain electoral support.
With municipal elections approaching, analysts view these by-election outcomes as an early indication of shifting voter alignments and potential coalition dynamics across the province.
Looking ahead
The next round of by-elections is scheduled for 13 May, including contests in Orkney in the North West and closely watched races in Upington and Prieska in the Northern Cape.
These will further test the relative strength of the ANC, DA, and PA in key battleground areas.
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