Potchefstroom – Campaigning ahead of by-elections in Tlokwe, North West, continued late on Tuesday despite uncertainty about whether they would go ahead as planned.

By mid-afternoon, the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein had reserved judgment on an application to postpone the by-elections.

The court was hearing an application by five independent candidates, who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Judge Kenneth Nthiyane said he realised the by-elections were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, and the court might give an order before then. Reasons for the order would be given at a later stage.

The ANC was campaigning in three Tlokwe wards on Tuesday.

“These [wards] are our main focal areas,” spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said.

North West ANC chair Supra Mahumapelo was visiting Ward 4, Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula Ward 18 and former Gauteng housing MEC Humphrey Memezi was in Ward 26.

The wards, which were previously represented by the ANC, became vacant when the party expelled the councillors.

Expelled councillors

In July, the ANC expelled 14 councillors after its provincial disciplinary committee found them guilty on four counts of misconduct for participating in a motion of no confidence against Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle.

Maphetle was replaced by DA councillor Annette Combrink.

However, the ANC’s national disciplinary committee overturned the expulsions.

Despite this, eight of the councillors registered as independent candidates for the by-elections.

Mnisi said the ANC would hold a press briefing once the IEC had made a decision.

DA constituency leader in the area Juanita Terblanche said the party was going ahead with its preparations for Wednesday’s by-elections.

Campaign posters for ANC, DA, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and independent candidates adorned lamp posts around Potchefstroom.

The ANC’s posters bore the faces of their candidates in the different wards.

DA posters read: “Your vote can make Potch DA.” The FF Plus poster read: “Stop die ANC [Stop the ANC]”.

There were also posters for David Kham, a former ANC member and Tlokwe chief whip, campaigning as an independent candidate.

– SAPA