MK Party wins Ward 17 in Mandeni by-election

The African National Congress (ANC) has lost its outright majority in the Mandeni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.  This comes after the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party took Ward 17 from the ANC with an overwhelming 61% of the vote in Wednesday’s by-election. 

The MK Party candidate Sphelele Mkhwanazi defeated the two opposing candidates from the ANC and the IFP.  

The seat became vacant after the ANC suspended its ward councillor. 

The ANC garnered only 30% of the vote, and now holds 17 of the 35 seats in the council, which is one short of a majority.

Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga says, “In terms of the constituency of the executive council, the Exco in the municipality – ANC holds 4 seats, the IFP 2 and the EFF 1, then that suggests that there isn’t going to be a drastic change in the constitution of the Exco and the parties that currently constitute the executive council.”

The municipality falls under the Ilembe district council, with its seat at Kwadukuza.

Our candidate, Siphelele Mkhwanazi, is with the YL President, Qiniso Cibane, at today’s by-election in Ward 17, Mandeni, KZN.

He says victory is certain, the people have decided.

UMkhonto weSizwe structures are present, our message is clear, and the community is standing firmly… pic.twitter.com/Fo0hHAiqwp

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) November 26, 2025

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