Polokwane ANC plays down fears of vote-splitting in ward 13 by-election

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) in Polokwane has downplayed fears of vote splitting between the party and its alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP). 
 
Both organisations are vying for the hotly contested ward 13 of the Polokwane municipality. 
 
This is the first election the SACP is contesting independently since its congress resolved last year to no longer fall under the ANC banner. 
  
Since the formation of the tripartite alliance in the mid-90s, ANC and SACP members have always held dual memberships for both organisations. 
 
The SACP’s councillor candidate Obed Thabana is a former ANC branch chairperson.

READ: Polokwane SACP doesn't believe its lack of experience, resources will be a factor in by-elections
 
There have been fears that with both parties fishing for voters in the same pond, people might split their votes and hand over the ward back to the EFF.
 
ANC Limpopo secretary, Reuben Madadzhe, said they were not worried. 
 
"We are focusing on our voters, the voters of the ANC. We don’t want to entertain the issue of the vote split because it’s neither here or there. We just think that it’s a two-horse race, you have seen it, even yourself."
 
The ANC is confident of reclaiming the ward, which it lost to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) back in 2016. 

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