Floyd Shivambu, Secretary-General of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of employing negative campaigning during the recent Ward 110 by-election in eThekwini. Despite these tactics, the MK Party secured a narrow victory, garnering 2,435 votes to the DA’s 2,413, with the African National Congress (ANC) trailing at 966 votes.
Shivambu highlighted that the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) did not field a candidate in the ward, ostensibly to support the DA’s efforts. He criticized campaign posters from the DA that read slogans like “Stop MK” and “The DA is the only big enough party to stop MK,” labeling them as part of a coordinated negative campaign.
The ANC has raised concerns about potential irregularities in the by-election, citing instances where over 130 individuals were registered at a single household. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has initiated an investigation into these allegations.
Political analysts suggest that the MK Party’s unexpected win in a DA stronghold indicates shifting political dynamics in KwaZulu-Natal, especially as the general elections approach.
