The African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) all managed to retain seats in by-elections in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga this week.

In Merafong, west of Johannesburg, the DA managed to increase its majority from 35.9% in the 2021 municipal elections, to 52.9% this week.

The party was jubilant after the by-election result in Ward 16 in Merafong, where the party's David Harman was elected councillor and the party significantly increased its support.

In a media statement seen by News24, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) results revealed that eight ANC councillors retained their seats, the DA held onto one seat, and the IFP two.

In the Tshwane metro, the ANC's Kgaugelo Stephans Phiri won in Ward 105, increasing the party's support to 54.58%, compared to 42.1% in the 2021 municipal elections.

The DA celebrated an increase in support despite not being able to unseat the ANC.

The IEC said the ANC retained seats in the AbaQulusi Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, whereas, in Mpumalanga, it maintained control of wards 1, 2 and 19 in Mkhondo. ANC councillors also retained seats in wards in the Dipaleseng and Victor Khanye municipalities, both in Mpumalanga.

The IFP's Sanele Jacobs Makhaye and Ndukenhle Duma won seats in the Umvoti and Nongoma municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, which it attained in 2021.

In a statement released on Thursday, the DA rejoiced after Harman's victory in Merafong.

The statement read, "We congratulate David for building on the work of the DA in Merafong and earning the trust of residents as they continue to support the DA to fight against the ANC's track record of catastrophic failures of service delivery in Merafong."

The party declared that Harman's success was the beginning of its victory in the upcoming 2024 national elections and said it offered solutions to South Africans.

News24 previously reported on the dire state of the municipality, which had become characterised by sinkholes, poor service delivery and neglected infrastructure under ANC rule.

IFP KwaZulu-Natal leader, Thami Ntuli, celebrated its performance in the by-elections.

"The IFP is greatly humbled by the vote of confidence displayed by the people of Nongoma and Umvoti. The party also deeply appreciates the hundreds of people in Ward 12 in AbaQulusi who put their faith in the IFP," he said.