The number of Nongoma residents who voted for the ANC showed the area was no longer a no-go area for the party, ANC national executive committee member Bheki Cele said on Sunday.
He was addressing a rally in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, to thank people for voting for the ruling party.
Nongoma had been one of Inkatha Freedom Party's strongholds since the 1994 elections, but fell to the ANC in the April general elections.
Sunday's function was held just a few kilometres from where buses carrying ANC supporters to a rally in January were stoned, allegedly by Inkatha Freedom Party supporters. Three people were also shot at immediately after they had left the venue where the rally was held.
Modimolle rape victim Ina Bonnette will attend the court case of her estranged husband Johan Kotze.
"First and probably the most important thing I want to say is I'm sorry to all of you..."
A man - who reports suggested was the owner of a Cape Town nightclub - has been found dead.
