According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa, the by-elections in this municipality’s ward eight on Wednesday will coincide with the ones in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. 

The IEC spokesperson in the Free State, Mmabatho Rasengane, says all measures have been put in place to ensure the smooth running of the by-elections and they do not foresee any hiccups. 

The municipality’s ward eight became vacant as a result of its councillor’s resignation and is now expected to be hotly contested by the ANC, DA, EFF and an independent candidate. 

This municipality recently made headlines after the suspension of its Municipal Manager, Martin Khubeka, over allegations of corruption and maladministration. It is amongst the Free State municipalities that have over the years also had service delivery issues, non-payment of salaries and employees’ third party contributions. Of all the distressed municipalities in the province, Kopanong is reportedly the largest in the Xhariep district.

OFM News