Municipal by-elections will take place in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape on Wednesday, 29 November 2017.
By-elections in Free State will take place in Metsimaholo Municipality (FS204) following the dissolution of the local council in terms of Section 139 (4) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which provide for the dissolution of a municipality where it cannot fulfil its obligation to approve a budget.
As a result, the by-elections will include all 21 ward and 21 PR council seats. There are currently 82 666 registered voters in Metsimaholo compared to the 79 675 in 2016 Municipal Elections.
By-elections will be held in the following wards/voting districts:
Eastern Cape:
- Ward 32 in the Nyandeni Municipality – EC155 will be contested by Ntombovuyo Gloria Mjajubana of the African National Congress (ANC) and Elliot Pumlani Mkwelanga of the United Democratic Movement (UDM). The ward was previously represented by the ANC and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor. The voter turnout for this ward in the 2016 Municipal Elections was 46.08%
Free State:
- Wards 1 to 21 in FS204 – Metsimaholo Municipality ( attached)
Voter turnout in Metsimaholo in the 2016 Municipal Elections was 57.56%. The 2016 Municipal Election saw the ANC winning 16 wards and 3 PR seats, the Democratic Alliance (DA) winning 5 wards and 7 PR seats, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) winning 8 PR seats, the Metsimaholo Community Association (MCA) winning 2 PR seats and 1 PR seat which was won by the Vryheidsfront Plus (VF Plus).
KwaZulu-Natal:
- Ward 10 in uMlalazi Municipality – KZN284 will be contested by Thokozani Sibonelo Leo Ziqubu of the ANC; Mavis Fikile Mdluli of the DA; Siyabonga Mpheni Ntombela of the EFF; and Sibongkaliso Freedom Mdletshe of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The ward was previously represented by the ANC and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor. The voter turnout for this ward in the 2016 Municipal Elections was 59.85%
Western Cape:
- Ward 102 in the City of Cape Town – CPT will be contested by Harm Engelbrecht of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP); Laurentius Petran Theart of the ANC; Carin Antoinette Brynard of the Cape Party/ Kaapse Party (CAPE); Rhynhardt Bresler of the DA; Elizabeth Sabrina Ruiters of the EFF; and Wilhelmina Margaretha Helena Fouché of the Vryheidsfront Plus (VF Plus). The ward was previously represented by the DA and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor. The voter turnout for this ward in the 2016 Municipal Elections was 75.66%
Voters are reminded that they must be registered in a voting district within the ward being contested in the by-election to be eligible to vote. Voters must provide identification (either a green bar-coded identity (ID) book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate) upon registration. Registered voters can SMS their ID number to 32810 (cost is R1 per SMS) to check their voting station details, or can visit the ‘For Voters’ section at www.elections.org.za .
Voters who need more information on the by-elections should contact their Municipal Electoral Officer during office hours or visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za . Contact details for Municipal Electoral Officers are available on the website under Contact Us.
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