D-Day in Ward 3, Glencoe, today
Wednesday's by-election will be the deal maker as to which party rules the roost
Tension is mounting for today’s (Wednesday, March 6) crucial by-election with the ANC keen to take the Ward 3 seat which will secure the party’s control of the Endumeni Council.
Previously a solid ANC ward (in 2011 the ANC candidate took 1611 votes to just over 600 to the IFP candidate), this changed in 2016 when Councillor T Zitha of the IFP won. The ward has been troubled ever since. Councillor Zitha was fired by his party after an internal squabble and a 2017 by-election was won by Thabani Molotshwe of the IFP.
“Ward 3 belongs to ANC” – Senzo Mchunu claims …
Councillor Molotshwe ended up as Mayor when, in a surprise move, in late November he was elected after he had gone against party orders by voting for the ANC’s Lucky Khumalo as Speaker instead of the IFP candidate, Callie Carelse.
The co-governance alliance was left in tatters. The IFP will be hoping to win again and secure the IFP/DA/ EFF co-governance arrangement that has been dealt a blow following the change of the guard.
A special Code of Conduct Ceremony was held at Sithembile Hall last week, where each nominated candidate (four parties are fighting the ward) signed to honour and uphold the rules and regulations of the IEC. Nonhlakanipho Dlungwana, IEC Outreach and Training Officer of Umzinyathi District, commented: “The IEC is ready for Wednesday and we are starting with specials votes on Tuesday. We have scheduled 161 home visits for those residents who will be voting at their homes and 21 residents will be voting at the voting station on Tuesday.
“Voting stations will be open from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday, we encourage everyone who has registered to go and vote as your vote is your voice,” she concluded.
Keep updated with the results on the Courier’s website – www.northernnatalcourier.co.za.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
