Municipal ward by-elections will take place in eight provinces namely Eastern Cape (EC), Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape on Wednesday, 1 August 2012.
In total 13 by-elections were scheduled to take place. Of the 13 vacant wards, two are uncontested while the remaining 11 wards will be contested by 33 candidates of whom two are independent candidates and the rest represent 9 political parties.
Three by-elections have been scheduled for the Eastern Cape:
- Ward 11 in Mhlontlo [Qumbu] Municipality – EC156 will be contested by Isaac Zwelinzima Tshungwana of the African National Congress; and Mani Jackson Njose of the United Democratic Movement. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor.
- Ward 19 in Mhlontlo [Qumbu] Municipality – EC156 is uncontested. Given Cecil Mawethu Kiviet of the African National Congress is the only candidate. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor.
- Ward 23 in Mhlontlo [Qumbu] Municipality – EC156 will be contested by Zolile Feni of the African National Congress; and Seth Nyaniso Tonjeni of the United Democratic Movement. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor.
One by-election will take place in the Free State:
- Ward 18 in Ngwathe [Parys] Municipality – FS203 will be contested by Sanette Kruger, an independent candidate; Gideon Philip Mandelstam of the African National Congress; Pieter Jacobus La Cock of the Democratic Alliance; and Hermanus Carel Andries Venter of the Vryheidsfront Plus. The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant as a result of the termination of the councillor’s membership from the Party.
One by-election has been scheduled for Gauteng:
- Ward 12 in Lesedi [Heidelberg] Municipality – GT423 is uncontested. Bongani Abram Simelane of the African National Congress is the only candidate. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
Four by-elections will take place in KwaZulu-Natal:
- Ward 5 in Umtshezi [Estcourt] Municipality – KZN234 will be contested by Duncan Mthethwa of the African National Congress; Sithandile Mnikezeni Mlambo of the Inkatha Freedom Party; and Lucas Mandla Mvelase of the National Freedom Party. The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
- Ward 8 in UPhongolo [Pongola] Municipality – KZN262 will be contested by Phillemon Hleka Simelane of the African National Congress; Mbhekiseni Cyprian Nkumane of the Inkatha Freedom Party; and Mpisiyakhe Excellent Nkosi of the National Freedom Party. The ward was previously represented by the National Freedom Party and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor.
- Ward 9 in Abaqulusi [Vryheid] Municipality – KZN263 will be contested by Gerhardus Petrus Koekemoer of the African Christian Democratic Party; Mxolisi Modicai Ntshangase of the African National Congress; Barend Hancke of the Democratic Alliance; Donald Munro of the Inkatha Freedom Party; and Johannes Jacobus Jones of the National Freedom Party. The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant as a result of the resignation of the councillor.
- Ward 2 in Ntambana [Ntambana] Municipality – KZN283 will be contested by Nhlanhla Richard Mnqayi of the African National Congress; Bhekuyise Justice Biyela of the Inkatha Freedom Party; and Mdodoni Agrippa Dlamini of the National Freedom Party. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
One by-election will take place in Limpopo:
- Ward 27 in Greater Tubatse [Burgersfort / Ohrigstad / Eastern Tubatse] Municipality – LIM475 will be contested by Musa Andrew Tshehla of the African National Congress; and Lekgaletswa Silas Makola of the Congress of the People. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
One by-election will take place in Mpumalanga:
- Ward 2 in Govan Mbeki [Highveld Ridge] Municipality – MP307 will be contested by Danisile Lebo Tlou of the African National Congress; Punkie Angel Emily Thamaga of the Congress of the People; and Johannes Banele Nkabinde of the Democratic Alliance. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
One by-election will take place in the Northern Cape:
- Ward 1 in Phokwane [Hartswater] Municipality – NC094 will be contested by Tlhopego Samuel Seele, an independent candidate; Kgomotsego Stoffel Mokale of the African National Congress; Thuso Andrew Roer of the Azanian People’s Organisation. The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
One by-election will take place in the Western Cape:
- Ward 6 in Swartland [Malmesbury] Municipality – WC015 will be contested by Carol Anneleen Adams of the African National Congress; Michael Adolph Rangasamy of the Democratic Alliance; and Deon Olivier of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor.
Voting hours are from 07h00 to 21h00 except for Ward 5 in Umtshezi [Estcourt] Municipality – KZN 234, KwaZulu-Natal, where voting stations will be open from 07h00 to 19h00.
A total of 40 702 voters are registered in the 11 wards and 56 voting districts where by-elections will take place.
Voters who need more information on the by-elections should contact their local 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 (contact us).
Registered voters can also SMS their ID number to 32810 to check whether their registration details are correct.
For media queries, please contact:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
For media interviews please email requests to: spokesperson@elections.org.za.
