By Lungani Zungu
A total of 457 candidates from 17 political parties are gearing up for a crucial showdown: 45 by-elections on Wednesday in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the North West.
Of these, 39 are the result of the dissolution of the Ditsobotla Local Council in the North West, with 20 ward seats and 19 proportional representation (PR) seats now vacant.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the IFP, the EFF and ANC will fight for control of the all-important ward 99 in Magabheni, south of Durban. The ward was left vacant after ANC councillor Mnqobi Molefe was gunned down in September.
The by-election has heightened tensions between the IFP and the ANC.
The IFP opened a case of intimidation against some local ANC members, accusing them of bullying party representatives who were campaigning ahead of the showdown.
The IFP further accused the ANC of using resources to woo voters after eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda opened a Sizakala Customer Centre on Friday.
The ANC crushed this allegation.
The IFP sent its heavyweights – including President Emeritus Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi — during a Siyanqoba Rally on Sunday in eMkhomazi (Umkomaas).
On the other hand, the ANC deployed its provincial leadership led by Siboniso Duma to convince the residents to vote for the party.
The IFP will be represented by Jane Naidoo, who will face off against the ANC’s Emmanuel Bhekingwe and the EFF’s Khumbuzile Nyawose.
The ANC has fared badly in previous by-elections, which saw the party lose wards in its former strongholds – including ward 12 in Mandlankala outside Richards Bay in September, which was won by the IFP after a bruising contest.
But the biggest upset for the ANC came after the EFF won a ward off the party in Mpumalanga in October.
The IEC said all voting stations in the affected wards will be open from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday to allow all registered voters to cast their ballots.
Pictured above: Voting station
Image source: Facebook
