eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal — The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is building significant political momentum, particularly within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, following the official defection of two African National Congress (ANC) ward councillors. The party has welcomed former ANC representatives Marco Mbambo and David Ngubane into its fold, marking a strategic shift that the DA believes will position them as the decisive kingmaker in several key local governments across the province.
The Democratic Alliance officially announced the addition of Mbambo of Ward 16 and Ngubane of Ward 18 to its ranks in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Mbambo revealed that he received notice of his expulsion from the ANC via a late-night WhatsApp message on Friday. This abrupt dismissal followed allegations by the ANC that he had been spying for the Democratic Alliance. Mbambo firmly rejected these claims, stating that the organization he once loved made unverified accusations through the media. He affirmed his commitment to his new political home, declaring his readiness to work diligently for the community and take on any assignment given to him.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Ngubane explained that his decision to leave was driven by growing discontent within his former political party. He expressed strong confidence that the Democratic Alliance is uniquely positioned to resolve longstanding service delivery and governance issues that the ANC government has failed to address over the past 25 years.
According to the Democratic Alliance, these high-profile defections are not merely isolated incidents, but represent a broader political shift and evidence of growing public trust in the party’s governance model. DA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson Dean Macpherson outlined the party’s forward-looking strategy, noting that internal data analysis indicates the vast majority of municipalities in the province will result in hung councils after the next elections.
Macpherson emphasized that the DA is poised to hold the deciding kingmaker vote in several key municipalities. The party has set its sights on strategic areas, including uMhlathuze at Richards Bay on the north coast and Ray Nkonyeni at Port Shepstone on the south coast. He expressed skepticism that any other party would secure an outright majority, stating he is not convinced that, outside of the DA potentially winning a majority in eThekwini and select other areas, there will be any other majority municipal governments in the province.
These developments underscore the DA’s aggressive expansion strategy in KwaZulu-Natal, as the party leverages growing internal fractures within the ANC to consolidate its influence ahead of future local government elections.
