KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Willies Mchunu, has called for calm and restraint in KwaNongoma ahead of the by-elections taking place there tomorrow (Wednesday, 23,October 2013).
Three by-elections are taking place in KwaNongoma tomorrow pitting against one another three major parties in the province, the ANC, IFP and the NFP.
The by-elections will take place as following:
- Ward 5 in Nongoma [Nongoma] Municipality – KZN265 with 4 345 registered voters. The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant due to the termination of the councillor’s membership from the party.
- Ward 10 in Nongoma [Nongoma] Municipality – KZN265 with 4 223 registered voters. The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant due to the termination of the councillor’s membership from the party.
- Ward 11 in Nongoma [Nongoma] Municipality – KZN265 with 4 231 registered voters. The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant due to the termination of the councillor’s membership from the party.
MEC Mchunu’s call for restrain comes in the wake of an intensive campaigning by political parties in KwaNongoma ahead of tomorrow’s by-elections. MEC Mchunu, however, noted that the campaign had, so far, been characterized by peaceful campaigning and political tolerance as parties, at times, had to campaign back to back.
"The way political parties have conducted themselves, so far, is encouraging and is an indication of political maturity by political parties in the province. I urge all players, political parties, voters and the leadership to ensure that these by-elections proceed smoothly and that they are free and fair.
"I appeal to all people to refrain from doing anything that would undermine the democratic right of the people to elect councillors of their choice. I call for restraint, tolerance and peaceful political activity on the day of the by-elections," said Mchunu.
MEC Mchunu said security forces have been deployed in the area to monitor these by-lections but expressed confidence that the event would proceed peacefully.
“We owe it to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to demonstrate that the province has abandoned the sad past characterized by political violence and intolerance. We need to demonstrate to South Africa, and the indeed to the world at large, that the era of no-go areas is the thing of the past in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Mchunu.
Media contact:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: on 072 803 1462 or 079 699 5755
Email: Kwanele.ncalane@kzntransport.gov.za
Sipho Khumalo
Cell: 082 682 6437 or 071 364 7301
Email: Siphon.khumalo@comsafety.gov.za
