POLOKWANE – Residents of Extensions 40, 44, 71, 75, 76, 78 and Greenside, located between Westenburg and Seshego, have alleged irregularities in the nomination process for a ward councillor candidate, saying it undermined efforts to hold free and fair elections.

Some residents accused the independent mediators at the recent nomination meeting of bias, claiming they manipulated numbers to secure the re-election of current ANC councillor Makhasane Mabote. They said the outcome did not reflect what happened at the meeting held on Sunday at Greenside Primary School hall.

Residents of several Polokwane wards have alleged irregularities in the ANC councillor nomination process, claiming votes exceeded the number of people present. pic.twitter.com/Q54D0xOVHU

— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) May 29, 2026

Residents said they received an invitation circular with no clear sender, and registered on the voter’s roll using their IDs. However, they allege the total votes recorded for the four nominees exceeded the number of people present in the hall, based on the voter’s roll.

The areas have been under ANC leadership since residents were moved from the Mashinini squatter camp in 2007. Residents said they fear the party will win again and impose a councillor they did not choose.

They also claimed the panel overseeing the process was not independent, alleging ties to the ANC and to Mabote herself, which they said influenced the outcome in her favour.

Mabote stood against three other candidates, including her ward committee chair, Ivy Tsholo, who came second.

Broader grievances

Residents calling for an investigation or a re-election told Review Online that they have reported alleged wrongdoing by their councillor to deaf ANC ears, including the sale of RDP houses and jobs, nepotism, and poor service delivery.

The low- to middle-income area is reportedly struggling with illegal foreign nationals allegedly buying RDP houses and renting out back rooms, leading to overpopulation, unserviced roads, burst sewage pipes, youth unemployment, and substance abuse.

Residents accuse Mabote of doing little to encourage development during her tenure which began in 2021 and say they want to replace her with one of the other three nominees.

Protests spread

The group took their grievances to the ANC’s regional office in a protest led by members of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). Dissatisfied with the response, they moved to the municipality and then to the provincial ANC headquarters at Frans Mahlaola House in the central business district. They said they were unsure if they would receive a response in time.

Public participation in selecting councillor nominees forms part of preparations for the local government elections scheduled for November 4.

Timeline pressure

SANCO’s Nyiko Nkwinika told Review Online it was important for organisations to respond swiftly, as the group was aware that an ANC branch meeting to confirm the party’s councillor candidate was due this weekend. She said announcing Mabote would misrepresent the outcome of Sunday’s meeting. Their concerns were also reported at the Public Protector’s Office in Polokwane’s central business district, Nkwinika said.

Contacted for comment, Mabote referred Review Online to the ANC’s regional leadership. Spokesperson Adolph Rapetswa did not respond to calls and texts sent at the time of publication.