According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the ward will be contested by one independent candidate as well as three candidates from the African National Congress (ANC), Congress of the People (Cope), as well as the Economic Freedom Fighters political parties.

The IEC has confirmed that there have been no reported incidents of protests at the two voting centres despite locals having invaded the local municipal offices yesterday owing to service delivery issues.  

Locals threw human waste in the municipal building in Vryburg yesterday in protest of poor services. The municipality is currently under the watchful eye of the North West provincial government after it was placed under administration in September last year. The municipality, which also falls under the Dr. Ruth Mogomotsi Mompati District municipality, contributed over R150 million in money meant for water services to the now liquidated VBS Mutual Bank. These protests, which were spearheaded by the EFF in the province, had to do with an ongoing crisis with regards to water shortages in the area.  

The ward was previously represented by the ANC and became vacant as a result of the death of the councillor. Contestants in this by-election will be Gaoretelelwe Nathaniel Molebalwa, an independent candidate; Lopez Mongameli Moeng from the African National Congress (ANC); Kagiso Kevin Kgajane from the Congress of the People (COPE); and Mogomotsi Matthews Peloeng from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The voter turnout for this ward in the 2016 municipal elections was 58.67% and the ANC candidate won the ward with 76.05% of valid votes. The voting stations for the ward are Pule Leeuw High School and Retladira Primary School and they will remain open for voting until 9 pm on Wednesday. The results from the by-election will be announced on Thursday.

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