The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) councillor who came out on top in the recent by-election has hit the ground running.

Mzwandile Simon Biko expressed his eagerness to serve the community of Middelpos, Saldanha Bay.

The MKP took more than 36% of votes in the by-election held on Tuesday and Wednesday; they received 1 197 votes, beating the African National Congress (ANC) by 338. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) received 654 votes.

The newly formed People Movement for Change led by Marius Fransman, former ANC provincial leader, only received 12 votes.

The by-election took place as a result of the death of ANC councillor Siyabulela Liwani in December.

South African Communist Party Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Benson Ngqentsu, said the ANC's loss in Saldanha Bay should be a wake-up call to ANC leaders in the region and province.

“The ANC must reassess its leadership and relationship with the people. The fact that the ANC lost all by-elections in the past 15 months and including in our historic stronghold areas raises questions about clarity of thought, political coherence, and strategic thinking.

“Time for introspection for purposes of self-correction and renewal is now or the movement risks perishing. ANC leaders in the province must be reminded that the strength of the ANC is in its relationship with the masses and a united and coherent unity of the ANC, SACP, COSATU and SANCO.”

A former ANC councillor, Biko said: “In 2023, when uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) was founded, I knew it would be my new political home.

“Since the introduction of the party in the area, we have gained a significant number of members.”

Biko said on Thursday he met with Executive Mayor André Truter to discuss immediate priorities, and as he prepares to attend his first council meeting.

“I want to ensure there is a clear plan to deliver on these long-overdue commitments.

“For instance, 1 551 houses were supposed to be built, yet only 551 were completed. A clinic, promised in 2017, has yet to be constructed, with no explanation. Another 98 houses were planned but remain unbuilt.

“Marikana was meant to be electrified, but while poles were installed, many homes still lack electricity. Roads are in poor condition — unpaved, full of potholes and littered with waste. These are the urgent issues I want to address.”

Biko was a councillor for the same area for 10 years.

“I served as an ANC councillor for 10 years, from 2006 to 2016, and have been involved in Saldanha since November 1990, working alongside other comrades to improve our community.

“In 2006, I fought for land allocation for residents in an area known as Iraq, which consisted of 800 shacks. After being nominated as a councillor by the ANC, we secured infrastructure for the area. However, when we returned to build houses, we discovered that the number of shacks had increased, leading to the formation of Marikana.

“By 2016, internal conflicts arose because I refused to grant political favours. This led to an attempted assassination and further divisions. The late councillor then took over, and I ran as an independent candidate, securing 998 votes — just shy of victory, as my opponent received 1 100 votes.

“I had hoped to return to the ANC, but instead, Irvin Jim approached me to join NUMSA. In 2019, I joined the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP), but the party did not perform well.”

Before politics, Biko served in the army, ran a spaza shop, and dedicated himself to helping underprivileged communities.

Cape Times

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