21 political parties to contest Thabazimbi by-elections

JOHANNESBURG - A total of 21 political parties will be competing to form a new government in the Limpopo municipality of Thabazimbi.

The municipality was dissolved in August this year, after falling into political and administrative dysfunction.

The Electoral Commission held a media briefing in Thambazimbi on Thursday afternoon ahead of the fresh by-elections next Wednesday, where all of the municipality's 24 seats will be up for grabs.

Over the past week, the ANC, EFF and uMkhonto weSizwe Party have deployed their senior party leaders to Thabazimbi.

In the 2021 local government elections, the ANC won 47% of the votes in Thabazimbi, however, it failed to create a stable coalition government.

Limpopo electoral officer, Nkaro Mateta, said that there were only two independent candidates who would be contesting for seats.

"In preparation for this election, the commission has created 108,200 ballot papers, both wards and PR. It is fascinating for this election, voters will receive two ballots, for wards and local proportional representative."

In the 2021 elections, ten parties contested for seats in Thabazimbi, with only six getting representation in council.