Siphelele Nketo 

THERE is a different kind of silence in most areas across towns in the Harry Gwala district after last week’s elections. Loudspeaker vehicles are gone, and election posters are peeling off the walls and street poles. Promises that were made by parties during election campaigns are now waiting to be tested as residents anticipate who will be their next mayors in the new council set to take powers of governance for the next five years.

In the Harry Gwala district, there are three hung municipalities, meaning that no single political party won an outright majority during elections.

They are: Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality, Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality and Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. These were ANC-run municipalities in the previous five-year term. It was the Greater Kokstad Municipality that received an outright majority with 11 seats for the ANC, four for the MK Party, two for the DA and EFF, as well as a single seat for the PA and ATM. According to Greater Kokstad Municipal spokesperson Zolani Siqwayi, a council meeting for the swearing in of the new council will be held on November 20. In other hung municipalities, an official date will be announced later. 

The MK Party in the Harry Gwala region welcomed the support it received during elections. MK Party regional coordinator Bongani Msomi confirmed ongoing coalition talks in the upper structures of the party. He said the party has identified individuals who can occupy key leadership positions in municipalities, promising that an announcement will be made soon.