The campaigns have started already. Ward 26 expelled councillor, Raphael Mokoena, will be one of the independent councillors on the 28th of August in his ward.

Speaking to OFM News about how ready he is to take part in the upcoming by-elections, Mokoena said he was ready from the day the ANC suspended him and his fellow colleagues. According to him, the community knows the efforts that he has made to ensure that they receive proper service delivery, which consequently got him expelled.

Mokoena further revealed that the ANC had tried several times to influence him to rejoin the party and promised him a post to become the manager in the district municipality’s offices.

He shared that his decision to become an independent councillor was influenced by the love he has for ward 26, hence he cannot abandon them for the sake of his personal interests.

Mokoena also thanked the community for standing by him during the period of his suspension and promised to work hand-in-hand with them, if they vote for him.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha