Durban - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has fielded candidates to contest by-elections in one of the KwaZulu-Natal municipalities for the first time since the general elections.
Provincial spokesman for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Thabani Ngwira, confirmed on Wednesday that the EFF had put up candidates to contest by-elections in the rural-based Mtubatuba municipality on May 6.
This emerged after parties had until Tuesday to submit their candidates for by-elections in Mtubatuba, Ingwe and Ubuhlebezwe municipalities.
The EFF’s decision to contest came amid recent criticism against the party that it had contested few by-elections since the May 2014 general election.
Vukani Ndlovu, EFF provincial leader, said the party had not contested by-elections in the province in the past because it had no elected leadership.
“We now have a clear programme and structures with the necessary tools and resources that enable the EFF to contest,” Ndlovu said.
However, the EFF will fight only six out of 19 wards that are to be contested by the ANC, the IFP, NFP, DA and African Independent Congress as well.
Ndlovu defended their decision to contest a few wards in the rural-based municipality in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.
“Where we launched structures, we opted to contest. Where you can see that you are not strong, you do not waste resources, but channel them to where you are strong,” he added.
Ndlovu was confident that his party would perform well in the by-election and informed voters of what life would be like under an EFF councillor.
“I think we will win some wards, but I can’t be sure how many,” he said, adding that they wanted to make their presence felt in communities ahead of 2016 municipal elections.
Independent political analyst, Protas Madlala, said it was always good for parties to assess their support base.
“It is a wise move on their side. For them to try to contest in a rural area, it is brave of them. Anything can happen,” Madlala said.
Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection’s head of political economy, Mcebisi Ndletyana, said by-elections were critical because they indicated the presence of a political party at local, regional and national levels.
“They have to show that they are a national part: that their appeal is not regional, it has national potential.”
Ndletyana also said the EFF had a mammoth task at the by-elections, where local issues were dealt with.
“The party will have to speak to values they represent and how they will change the plight of local communities,” he said.
He made the comments in the light of the perception that the EFF was built around the personality of Julius Malema.
Ndletyana added that the May 6 by-election results would provide a measure of how the EFF could perform in the local government elections.
* Meanwhile, IEC provincial electoral officer, Mawethu Mosery, said the electoral body was on course for the by-elections in four weeks time.
“We encourage parties during campaigns to maintain a good record of tolerance,” Mosery said.
He said those eligible for the administering of special votes on May 5 should apply between Monday and Friday next week.
Daily News