A by-election, which was meant to take place in Ward 11 in Umzumbe last Wednesday, was postponed.
The IEC’s Ugu district manager, Zolile KaSiphiwo, said all procedures and processes were followed, and that it’s not the IEC’s fault that it did not take place.
Political parties in this area are eager and had been campaigning for the last two months.
This ward was led by Sbonelo Maphumulo, who was an ANC councillor, and has now joined MK and is also a candidate for the party.
It is believed the reason for the postponement was because the KZN MEC for Cogta, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, did not make a proclamation for the by-election.
“If the MEC does not proclaim the by-election, then that means it has not been Gazetted, which also means that there is no by-election.”
KaSiphiwo said the next available date is June 19, which will then include all the other wards of the expelled councillors.
This now means six by-elections will be held in Umzumbe on the same day for Wards 01, 02, 03, 09, 11 and 19.
The spokesperson for Cogta, Sboniso Mngadi, said the MEC had made a declaration, but it is the IEC that deals with the whole process.
“If anything is delayed, the IEC should explain because they are the ones who set dates and do the whole process.”
KaSiphiwo said for the upcoming by-elections, the MEC will still have to proclaim them.
Active parties in this ward that have been encouraging people to cast their votes are the ANC, IFP and MK.
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