Thabazimbi by-elections produce another hung council

The elections were contested by 21 political parties and five independent candidates.

However, no single party secured an outright majority, leaving the municipality's future dependent on coalition negotiations.

The ANC emerged as the leading party, winning ten wards with 43.48% of the vote.

They were followed by the Democratic Alliance, which secured 17.3%, and the Economic Freedom Fighters in third place with 13.04%.  

Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta announced the results on Thursday morning.

"And of course, the Freedom Front Plus also comes close with two seats at 8.7%.  As well as the Labour Party that has also won two seats at 8.7%,” said Mateta.

"The following two political parties made it to the municipality with only one seat each. These parties are the Tabazimbi Residents Association as well as the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party.

 "As you can see, the results are bringing us back to a hung council. None of these political parties obtained 50 plus 1%, so we still have a hung council in Thabazimbi.

"It's as if we did not do anything to really remedy the situation because the premier and the NCOP dissolved this municipality based on the fact that nobody had a majority, and the functionally of this municipality had serious challenges," said Mateta.

At the same time, Mateta admitted the outcome reflected the wishes of the voters.

 "The indication that there is no outright winner in this by-election, still the outcomes that are readily accepted by all the participants, inspire the confidence that the Electoral Commission has indeed delivered on its constitutional mandate of strengthening democracy.

"We are also pleased to announce that we have not received any objections so far from any of the 21 parties and five independent candidates.”

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