By-election results show battle for SA's cities is on

14 August 2014 

The Democratic Alliance swept to victory in 17 of the 19 by-elections we contested countrywide yesterday, winning many battleground wards in major towns and cities.

The DA won battleground ward 32 in Johannesburg (Alexandra and Greenstone), increasing our marginal 2014 majority of 51% to 56% yesterday. This 5% swing in Johannesburg is significant because if the trend continues metro-wide, the ANC will be brought under 50% in 2016. The DA also secured comfortable victories in Johannesburg ward 90 and Tshwane ward 52.

Battleground wards in Polokwane (Limpopo) and Lydenburg (Mpumalanga) were also won with increased majorities. The DA doubled its percentage from 2014 in Polokwane's ward 20, going from 35% in 2014 to 70% yesterday, with support increasing by 13% percentage points in Lydenburg, from 55% to 68%.

All Western Cape wards were also won, spanning wards in Cape Town, Swartland and Mossel Bay. A hotly contested battle in Mossel Bay saw the DA secure a majority despite violent campaign tactics from our opponents.

The DA won ward 10 Nelson Mandela Bay and lost marginal ward 40 by just 79 votes, showing that this metro is firmly in play for 2016.

Wards in Potchefstroom and the Northern Cape were also won by the DA.

The DA thanks all its supporters across South Africa for coming out in their numbers yesterday. Through this momentum, we will ensure that the battle for change in South Africa's cities will be on like never before in 2016.

Statement issued by DA leader, Helen Zille, August 14 2014

Full results:

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