DA grows backing in Douglas with Siyancuma Ward 4 win

THE DA has described its “outright win” in the Ward 4 by-election in Siyancuma Municipality as a sign of its growing support base in Douglas.

DA candidate Lemfia van Niekerk secured 56.11% of the votes, winning the seat previously held by independent candidate Willem Jouke van Bergen since the 2021 local municipal elections. Voter turnout stood at 61.1%.

The DA received 1,161 votes, while the ANC came second with 675. The PA secured 132 votes and the EFF 101.

DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa said the party grew its voter base from 34.24% in the 2021 local government elections to 56.11% in the September 3 by-election.

He added that Van Niekerk, who had previously served the community as a proportional representative (PR) councillor, had already built a strong track record of public service.

“Fighting for streetlights, toilets, better roads, regulated dumps and access to clean water, and responding to the community’s needs, whether in times of fire distress or even hunger, Van Niekerk has not backed down from getting involved, always finding a way to ease the plight of residents,” said McGluwa.

“The DA will continue to tackle service delivery in Ward 4 and address ongoing challenges experienced by the greater Douglas community.”