Three by-elections were held on Wednesday, with the DA having a mixed day, losing one ward and defending another seat.
In Tshwane the DA easily defended a seat in a low poll, where only about 10% of registered voters turned out.
The DA won 80% of the vote on Wednesday, up from the 60% it won in the local government election of 2021. The EFF managed nearly 10% of the vote, while the VF+ secured 7% and the ANC 4%.
In Mossel Bay it was a different story where the PA breached the DA’s defences to take a ward off the party.
In the 2021 local government election the DA won 44.8%, with the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) winning 23.2%. The ANC managed 17.3% and the PA, 7.1%
On Wednesday the PA surged, winning just over 50% of the vote, with the DA on 38.9%. The ANC brought up the rear with 8%.
In Knysna the ANC defended a seat, but there was another stiff challenge from the PA.
The ANC won just over 50% on Wednesday, but this was with more than 20 points fewer than it won in the 2021 local poll. The PA saw its vote share jump to over 30%, from 6%. The EFF won 9% and MK just over 5%.
The results in the Western Cape will concern the DA, with party insiders saying the recent defection of MP Liam Jacobs from the DA to the PA may have had a bigger impact than was initially believed.