The DA is set for a major victory in the Western Cape, and looks likely to claim 19 municipalities.

Provisional results from the IEC on Thursday showed an increase in DA support across many of the 25 municipalities, and a possible two-thirds majority in the province.

Votes had been captured in all, but the City of Cape Town, Knysna, and Stellenbosch.

The municipalities to look out for possible coalitions were Laingsburg, Bitou, Witzenberg, Prince Albert, and Beaufort West.

The DA claimed victory, with 55% support and 12 of 13 wards, in the troubled Oudtshoorn municipality, which was placed under administration last year.

The national co-operative governance department and the Western Cape government appointed an administrator to take charge of Oudtshoorn, following a two-year power struggle between the ANC and DA.

The final media briefing for provincial results was moved forward to 18:00 on Thursday, from noon on Friday.

Meanwhile, the ANC in the province said it was disappointed with the results.

“We always were having our own internal challenges. The national mood is also an issue that came up there. It was always going to be difficult,” said ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs.

He said the party had started campaigning late. The party’s objective had been to gain support in their base wards and they had gained ground in some areas.

“We will possibly get one coalition arrangement in Bitou. We were targeting some of the rural municipalities, especially in the Southern Cape and Overberg.”

The ANC edged out the DA in the Hessequa municipality, with 46.14% and 6 seats.

Jacobs said they had a strong organisational presence there and it could be used as a “success model”.

He thanked all their supporters and volunteers.

Source: News24Wire.