This, after the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa confirmed that the registration weekend continues as planned despite protest threats. 

The long awaited by-elections will officially take place in August. Vacancies in the financially troubled municipality occurred when the ANC expelled 16 of its Councillors last year after they were found guilty of voting with opposition parties during the election of the new executive mayor, Gilbert Mokotso. 

They were accused of defying the party’s resolution to nominate and vote for a party-preferred candidate into the mayoral office. 

The municipality made news at the beginning of this month when a group of community members protested outside the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, demanding that the 16 ANC Councillors be reinstated and vowing to disrupt the by-elections should the party not heed their call. 

The IEC’s provincial spokesperson, Mmathabo Rasengane, however, confirms voting stations opened on time this morning and the commissions’ provincial team is on the ground to ensure smooth proceedings.

OFM News