Earlier on Thursday afternoon‚ ANC’s chief whip Jackson Mthembu was confident that the ANC would retain the hotly contested Nelson Mandela Bay.
But little did he know that a few hours later he might have to swallow his words as Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane announced that the DA had snatched the hotly contested metro from the ruling party.
Mthembu had earlier said: “I can tell you with certainty that they are counting and we awaiting for the counting process to be done and after the process‚ we will then be able to tell you what the situation is‚” said Mthembu.
ANC to withdraw Nelson Mandela Bay objection: Mantashe
“We are confident because we have more wards that we have been able to pick up in Nelson Mandela Bay and we have been able to even get three or so wards from the DA and two from some people that were independent... so we are doing pretty well‚” said Mthembu‚ acknowledging‚ however‚ that the metro was not completely theirs.
Nelson Mandela Bay has been one of the most contested metros in the run-up to the local government elections and on Thursday both the ANC and DA claimed they would emerge as the leading party as the IEC continues to capture votes.
Maimane called a short media briefing to announce that the Port Elizabeth-based metro would belong to the DA.
“It is beautiful to say that in a city called after Nelson Mandela Bay will in the next election will potentially be governed by the DA [and] I think it’s exciting‚” said the DA leader‚ adding that they would exclude the ANC from a coalition.
He added: “One of the things I’m most excited about is that having looked back at our initial predictions and polls‚ it’s been quite clear that in Nelson Mandela Bay‚ we will become the largest party there and I’m quite excited about it.”
Mthembu had left the venue after Maimane’s announcement.
Earlier Mthembu said he was confident that Tshwane‚ Ekurhuleni‚ eThekwini‚ Johannesburg‚ Mangaung and Buffalo City belonged to the ruling party‚ labelling the ANC a “spring chicken“.
ANC's Mthembu may have to eat his words over Nelson Mandela Bay prediction
Earlier on Thursday afternoon‚ ANC’s chief whip Jackson Mthembu was confident that the ANC would retain the hotly contested Nelson Mandela Bay.
But little did he know that a few hours later he might have to swallow his words as Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane announced that the DA had snatched the hotly contested metro from the ruling party.
Mthembu had earlier said: “I can tell you with certainty that they are counting and we awaiting for the counting process to be done and after the process‚ we will then be able to tell you what the situation is‚” said Mthembu.
ANC to withdraw Nelson Mandela Bay objection: Mantashe
“We are confident because we have more wards that we have been able to pick up in Nelson Mandela Bay and we have been able to even get three or so wards from the DA and two from some people that were independent... so we are doing pretty well‚” said Mthembu‚ acknowledging‚ however‚ that the metro was not completely theirs.
Nelson Mandela Bay has been one of the most contested metros in the run-up to the local government elections and on Thursday both the ANC and DA claimed they would emerge as the leading party as the IEC continues to capture votes.
Maimane called a short media briefing to announce that the Port Elizabeth-based metro would belong to the DA.
“It is beautiful to say that in a city called after Nelson Mandela Bay will in the next election will potentially be governed by the DA [and] I think it’s exciting‚” said the DA leader‚ adding that they would exclude the ANC from a coalition.
He added: “One of the things I’m most excited about is that having looked back at our initial predictions and polls‚ it’s been quite clear that in Nelson Mandela Bay‚ we will become the largest party there and I’m quite excited about it.”
Mthembu had left the venue after Maimane’s announcement.
Earlier Mthembu said he was confident that Tshwane‚ Ekurhuleni‚ eThekwini‚ Johannesburg‚ Mangaung and Buffalo City belonged to the ruling party‚ labelling the ANC a “spring chicken“.
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