Johannesburg -
The by-elections on Wednesday in six wards in Tlokwe, in the North West, were dedicated to former president Nelson Mandela, the ANC said.
“As the ANC in North West, we dedicate this by-election in honour of president Nelson Mandela, our icon, our leader and the father of a democratic nation,” African National Congress provincial spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said in a statement.
“Having been a beacon of hope to our country and the world, we see it befitting that as the ANC in the North West, we dedicate these by-elections in his honour.”
He urged the people of Tlokwe to vote for the ANC to “ensure that Madiba’s legacy continues”.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) spokeswoman Kate Bapela could not be reached for an update on the by-elections.
The by-elections were to have been held on October 23, a date set after the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified by the IEC from taking part in previous by-elections.
However, Wednesday was proposed as the new date after candidates asked for more time to campaign.
The ANC retained control of two of three wards in the remainder of the by-elections in Tlokwe. A by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.
The seats were vacated when 14 ANC councillors were expelled from the party in July for participating in a motion of no confidence in then Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle. He was replaced as mayor by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.
The ANC's national disciplinary committee subsequently overturned the expulsions, but nominated other candidates for the by-elections. Some of the former councillors decided to stand as independents. - Sapa