IT is all systems go for the hotly contested by-elections in the Western Cape this Wednesday as parties test-drive voter support ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Wards in Cape Town, Beaufort West and Knysna municipalities will be hotly contested as political parties in the province push for support and topple fragile coalitions in councils.
Two DA-controlled wards became vacant after Delft councillor Courtney van Wyk died in January, following a battle with cancer while former Knysna councillor, Lorraine Opperman was expelled after she was accused of voting with the ANC in council.
The ANC is also hoping to retain its ward in Beaufort West after Sinki Motsoane was booted from the party for allegedly siding with the DA in council.
All three wards face strong competition as parties try make in-roads in the wards ahead of municipal elections expected to take place in November. This may be the last round of by-elections given that the Independent Electoral Commission has set the cut-off date for the filling of vacancies in wards for May 1.
The IEC has implored voters to ensure that they update their details having announced that there were 1.2 million voters that do not have their addresses registered and might not be able to vote.
The EFF’s Melikhaya Xego said they have put up candidates’ posters in all three wards in the hope that residents would give their party a chance.
“We are appealing to our people to give us a chance from the get go and not call us in at the end when the councillors they voted in are not doing their job,” he said.
“We have seen significant increases in support, now we need to convert that support into votes.
“What we need to do is continue voter education to get our people to know the importance of registering to vote. Just because you were registered to vote in national elections does not mean you are automatically registered for local elections.”
The Good Party’s Brett Herron said his party had taken a decision to not participate in any more by-elections and rather focus its resources towards municipal elections.
The ANC in hoping to win the ward in Knysna and has placed Opperman as its candidate, given her victory of the ward two years ago for the DA.
“It was simple for us, she was the incumbent, she won the last tie with around 200 votes against our candidate and in council she cooperated with us and voted on important issues. She refused to abide by DA rules that did not benefit the community she represented.”
Despite the ANC having expelled their own councillor in Beaufort West for doing the same thing, Kalako said they were confident their candidate there would win.
“We have been canvassing heavily in Beaufort West and are confident that we can retain that ward. This will change the composition of council in favour of the ANC coalition which was altered by the actions of the councillor the ANC expelled, after he decided to defy the ANC and work with the DA,” he added.
DA deputy provincial leader Albert Fritz said although the party was preparing for a tough contest, they were confident of the work put in as well as their candidates.
“We look forward to the contest and we are confident that voters will put their trust in a party that truly cares and who puts the interests of all communities first,” he said.
Ward 20 in Delft has more than 17 000 registered voters who will be able to cast their votes at seven voting stations. The 2 800 voters in Ward 11 will and the 3 200 voters in Beaufort West will each have two voting stations.
Special voting will take place at voting stations as well as home visits from Tuesday at 8am until 5pm.