Table 3: Seat-wise Consequences of 2003 Floor Crossing at the National Level (main
parties)
Party Seats after 1999
Elections
% of Seats Defectors After
Floor
Crossing
% of Seats
ANC
266 66.5
9
275 68.75
DP/DA
38 9.5
8
46 11.5
IFP
34 8.5
(3) 31 7.75
NNP
28 7.0
(8) 20 5.0
UDM
14 3.5
(9)
4
1.0
Table 4: Seat-wise Consequences of 2003 Floor Crossing at the Regional Level (main
parties)
KwaZulu-Natal 1999
Elections
% of Seats Defectors After
Floor
Crossing
% of Seats
ANC
32 40.0 3 35 43.75
IFP
34 42.5 (2) 32 40.0
DP/DA
7 8.75 (1) 6 7.5
NNP
3 3.75 (1) 2 2.5
Western Cape
ANC
18 42.86 4 22 52.38
DP/DA
5 11.9 2 7 16.67
NNP
17 40.48 (6) 10 23.81
Source: Independent Election Commission of South Africa:
Apart from the party-political realignments taking place, five new parties were formed as a
result of the floor crossing window period, thus reinforcing opposition fragmentation even
more. The party most heavily affected by defections was the UDM, which was previously
considered to be a serious upcoming contender of the ANC - at least in the latter’s perception.
Additionally, recent survey data indicate that there was no significant mid-term realignment
of party support and sentiment – contrary to the ANC’s postulation and the Constitutional
18