The troubled Matjhabeng and Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipalities were amongst those where the IEC held 40 by-elections in 25 municipalities across the country. 

The Commission's Free State provincial manager, Itumeleng Liba, confirmed to OFM News everything ran smoothly without major hiccups. This, as the province has been hit by service delivery protests since the beginning of the week - specifically in Mangaung.

The province's only metro municipality came to a standstill with residents taking to the streets in demand of answers over issues including poor services, lack of job opportunities, nepotism, and corruption at the municipality.

Liba confirms voting in both ward 35 in Matjhabeng and ward 25 in Maluti-A-Phofung municipalities went well and all the stations opened on time. "The voting stations opened at 7:00 and closed at 21:00," he said.

OFM News earlier reported that both wards became vacant as a result of the death of councillors and they were contested by 10 candidates from six political parties and two independent candidates. They were previously represented by the ANC.

OFM News