For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: IFP takes three wards from ANC in Newcastle metro; PSA urges govt to prioritise cybersecurity amid attacks; And, Patricia de Lille is GOOD Party’s Western Cape Premier candidate

IFP takes three wards from ANC in Newcastle metro

The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal won three highly-contested wards from the African National Congress in the Newcastle Municipality.

The IFP expressed excitement in Wednesday’s by-elections, which saw it win Wards 12, 19 and 23.

IFP KZN Chairperson and Premier Candidate Thami Ntuli said that in Ward 12, the IFP received 1 973 votes compared with the ANC's 763 votes. The Economic Freedom Fighters received 94 votes, and Team Sugar South Africa managed 256 votes.

Ntuli said in Ward 19, the IFP garnered 1 566 votes, surpassing the ANC's 732 votes, the EFF received 65 votes, and TSSA bagged 137 votes.

Ward 23, the IFP secured 1 498 votes, while the ANC received 315 votes, the EFF received no votes, and TSSA received 213 votes.

PSA urges govt to prioritise cybersecurity amid attacks

The Public Servants Association wants government to prioritise cybersecurity, including investing in skills development, following recent cyberattacks on government systems.

The PSA expressed extreme concern about the implications for citizens of these attacks.

The PSA said it was gravely concerning that government systems were vulnerable, adding that such attacks disrupted government services.

It wants government to be proactive and put stringent measures in place against such attacks. In addition, the PSA explained that departments must have contingency plans to restore systems in case of any breach.

The PSA further urged government to ensure that critical and confidential information on citizens and employees is secured.

And, Patricia de Lille is GOOD Party’s Western Cape Premier candidate

The GOOD Party announced its leader Patricia de Lille as its candidate for Western Cape Premier, expressing confidence in her abilities to ensure that the right plans are implemented swiftly and according to the law.

The party believes that De Lille is the only candidate for Premier who has executive experience in all three spheres of government, assuring voters of her tenacity in serving the public.

It said when political parties present plans and manifestos to voters, it’s important for voters to also consider who will be charged with implementing these plans.

De Lille served as a Member of Parliament and chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport and as MEC for Social Development in the Western Cape.

She was mayor of Cape Town, and served a full five-year term of office which received four consecutive clean audits.

In 2019, consistent with the practice of having an opposition leader serve in the national Cabinet, De Lille was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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