This, after the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Free State, announced its state of readiness on Tuesday. The long-awaited by-elections set to take place in 15 municipal wards comes after councillors' positions became vacant last year. Vacancies in this financially troubled municipality occurred when the ANC expelled 16 of its councillors 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 expelled group has since announced their intention to contest these elections as independent candidates...

Earlier this month, the group was said to be among hundreds of community members gathered to officially break away from the party, when videos of the disgruntled ANC members tearing up party regalia went viral on social media.

While the ANC’s tripartite alliance partner, the SACP, has confirmed its support for the expelled group, the ANC stands accused of playing dirty by buying votes with food parcels and cash.

DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, has during his campaign over the past weekend lambasted the provincial government over these allegations and what he views as a lack of accountability.

He said due to the ruling party's maladministration and corruption, the municipality finds itself in a financial rut, unable to provide basic services such as water to its residents, settle its Eskom debt, or pay salaries on time.

Meanwhile, Free State provincial electoral officer, Jabulani Tshabalala, has confirmed it is all systems go for today and they will be working with law enforcers in case of riots.

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