Tlokwe poised for three by-elections

Three wards in Tlokwe will be contested in Wednesday's by-elections with the ANC confident of clinching victory.

 

At least 13,000 voters are expected to turn up for the elections. This despite the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein ordering on Tuesday evening that five out of the nine by-elections in Tlokwe be postponed.

 

This was after the court heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission.

 

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

 

Late on Tuesday, African National Congress secretary general Gwede Mantashe told party volunteers they should not be discouraged by the postponement as it afforded them the opportunity to focus all their energy on the three wards, six, 18 and 26.

 

"Go to every family and encourage them to vote for the ANC," he said.

 

In July, the ANC expelled 14 councillors after its provincial disciplinary committee found them guilty on four counts of misconduct for participating in a motion of no confidence against Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle.

 

Maphetle was replaced as mayor by Democratic Alliance councillor  Annette Combrink.

 

However, the ANC's national disciplinary committee overturned the expulsions.

 

Despite this, eight of the councillors registered as independent candidates for the by-elections.

 

Voting stations are expected to open 9am.

 

-Sapa