This, as the country has officially been placed on lockdown alert level 4. President Cyril Ramaphosa last night announced that Covid-19 cases are surging and as a result moved the country to level 4 to flatten the curve. Eight municipal ward by-elections were set to take place in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Northern Cape on Wednesday, June 30. The by-elections were set to be contested by 40 candidates from 14 political parties and three independent candidates. The Northern Cape’s popular Sol Plaatjie Municipality is amongst those meant to hold by-elections in ward 1. The IEC’s spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Maruping Wildebees, tells OFM News they are awaiting a green light on the matter as the CEO of the IEC has approached the court to postpone the by-elections.

The IEC, in a statement, confirms the ward previously represented by the DA became vacant as a result of the councillor’s death. Should the by-elections in the province go ahead, the ward will be contested by candidates from four political parties.

Meanwhile, former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke is on Monday hearing oral submissions on whether this year’s local government elections in October can be held during the Covid-19 third wave.

Moseneke is considering submissions made by political parties, the IEC Chair key electoral stakeholders, and health authorities, among others.

He was appointed a month ago to head a review process to decide whether current conditions are conducive to hold free and fair elections.

Moseneke has until July to submit a report on the review to guide the IEC on whether to proceed with municipal elections.

OFM News