IEC PREPARES FOR THABAZIMBI LOCAL MUNICIAPALITY SUPER BY-ELECTION IN DECEMBER 4, 2024

By Ml Luqman Skink, INX Prime news and current affairs editor

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is currently preparing for super by-elections in the Thabazimbi local Municipality in Limpopo planned for December 4th, 2024. All 12 Wards in Thabazimbi are up for contestation to replace the entire local council after it was dissolved by Limpopo Premier, Phopi Ramathuba in August this year.

Dysfunctionality of Thabazimbi Municipality

In early October, Parliament’s COGTA Portfolio Committee paid a visit to internal and external stakeholders of the Thabazimbi Local Municipality Council before the Limpopo Executive Council invoked Section 139 (1) (c) of the Constitution to dissolve the council. In remarks published after the visit, Committee chairperson Mxolisi Kaunda said it considered the council dysfunctional, as it could not sit to make necessary council resolutions, thereby crippling governance within the municipality.

Staff Salaries 'Used to Settle Political Scores'

The COGTA Portfolio Committee also found that staff morale was low in the municipality, with salaries of workers who were not on good terms with some officials being prevented from entering municipal offices, and their salaries withheld. While officials fought bitter battles, the repair of dilapidated infrastructure was neglected, and the council failed to use the Municipal Infrastructure Grant, spending only 40% of the funds set aside to revamp municipal roads and water systems.

IEC Limpopo Announces Voter Registration Weekend

Speaking to INX Prime’s Nazia Wadee, IEC head of elections in Limpopo, Nkaro Mateta explained that when the provincial cabinet and the National Council of Provinces agree to dissolve a municipality, the leadership vacuum must be resolved by an election, and that is when the IEC begins its involvement. She added, "The IEC will be open at all 57 voting districts in Thabazimbi for voter registration between 8 am and 4 pm this coming Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th of October. It's important for people to register where they live and bring their smart card identity cards or bar-coded ID books."

IEC Limpopo: 'We Are Ready'

Mateta said the IEC in the province is using all its resources to ensure a smooth by-election in December, with electoral workers already hired for election day. She emphasized, "Because democracy dies when citizens stay away and don’t take part in elections, we are pooling all our resources, including help from National and surrounding provinces, to make sure we are fully ready by December 4th."

The Limpopo MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs is expected to proclaim and confirm the by-election on October 25.

Candidate List Deadline

The deadline for all independent candidates and political parties wishing to contest the vacant wards in the Thabazimbi Municipality is from October 25 until November 11.