AIC party leader not surprised by election outcome

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 he leader of the minority Eastern Cape party that surprised everyone by gaining three seats in parliament and retaining its one seat in Bhisho, says he's not surprised by the election outcome.

Mandla Galo will lead his African Independent Congress in the National Assembly when the new parliament is constituted after the inauguration of president Jacob Zuma.

The AIC grew out of the struggles of the residents of Matatiele, who wanted to cede from the Eastern Cape to Kwazulu Natal.

The party also drew criticism because its colours are similar to that of the ANC, and it was also listed above the ANC on the election ballot, which some pundits said may have got the AIC some additional votes, albeit unwittingly.

Galo said they had campaigned hard during the elections.

"When the ANC took power in 2005 they took the decision to incorporate Matatiele into the Eastern Cape against the will of the people. We told ourselves we will not allow this to happen in a democracy. We will challenge these people as AIC, we believe in real democracy" he said.