Potchefstroom – The African National Congress is combat ready for the Tlokwe by-elections in the North West, the party said on Tuesday.

“We will utilise this opportunity to place resources at our disposal and our energies in winning the three ward by-elections we are contesting tomorrow,” spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“The ruling of the court today is neither a victory, setback nor a loss for the ANC.

The Electoral Court in Bloemfontein ordered on Tuesday evening that five out of the nine by-elections in Tlokwe be postponed.

This was after the court heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission.

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

ANC leaders campaigned in Tlokwe on Tuesday.

Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula and ANC Youth League convenor Mzwandile Masina were among those campaigning.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe was scheduled to address party volunteers in Potchefstroom on Tuesday evening.

Sapa