The North West ANC has failed to register a candidate to contest a by-election in the Tswaing municipality, the party said on Thursday. ”The ANC in the province was unable to comply with a deadline on the registration of a candidate for the affected ward,” spokesman Kenny Morolong said.

The provincial working committee (PWC) resolved to institute an investigation through an independent team.

It was expected to give a report to the PWC within seven days. The PWC would meet ward 14 residents and formally apologise for not registering a candidate for the April 24 election.

“The PWC noted the enormity of this setback and believes that this development has serious implications for the image of the ANC, which contests elections as a registered political party drawing its electoral support from all sections of South African society.”

It was not the first time the ANC failed to register a candidate. In the 2011 municipal election it failed to register candidates in seven wards in the Tlokwe municipality.

Morolong said after the Tlokwe incident, the party agreed that those who were responsible for not registering candidates should be held responsible.

Organisational processes had been undertaken and an announcement would be made once these had been completed.

The by-election in ward 14 is being held because the DA ward councillor resigned. http://www.timeslive.co.za