The process to select Tlokwe by-election candidates was at an advanced stage when Luthuli House decided to overturn the expulsion of 14 North West councillors. (Gallo)
The ANC in North West has released the names of candidates who will battle it out with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other opposition political parties for control of the Potchefstroom-based Tlokwe local municipality on September 18.
ANC North West spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi told the Mail & Guardian that the process to select by-election candidates was at an advanced stage when Luthuli House decided to overturn the expulsion of 14 councillors.
The ANC worked with communities to select new candidates, Mnisi said. "We started with community meetings where we asked them to give us names of people they want as leaders."
The provincial working committee (PWC) finalised the recommended names today after they had passed through the regional elections team and the regional executive committee.
"We’ve already submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission because the closing date was 5pm this evening," Mnisi said on Monday.
The ANC in the province expect all former councillors to remain with the party despite rumours that they are working with opposition parties such as the DA and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Mnisi said: "All of them attended our meeting yesterday and today. They never gave any indication of wanting to go. Nobody said to us, 'I’m not coming back'."
Good conduct
The ANC in North West hopes the 14 reinstated party members will "conduct themselves in keeping with the ANC Constitution, principles and values and that they will put the interest of the organisation above everything else."
Mnisi said the ANC considers the disciplinary measures a finalised case.
The national disciplinary committee (NDC) over the weekend overturned the North West provincial disciplinary committee’s decision to expel the councillors, who stood accused of colluding with the opposition to oust ANC mayor Maphetle Maphetle through a vote of no confidence.
ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte mentioned Tlokwe as an area of concern for the party on Monday morning. "One area in North West is under severe stress, and that is Tlokwe," she said.
Factionalism
Duarte mentioned duplication of branches and leadership, because of the factional approach in the province, as being key to the problems in the municipality. But she expressed confidence in the provincial leadership to resolve the matter.
"The province itself has got provincial leadership; it is at regional level where there are problems. Clearly there are issues around the mayor and the ANC processes will kick in," Duarte said.
"The PWC restated its earlier decision to accept the NDC decision to reinstate the membership of the 14 members as part of the reconciliation, healing and renewal programme of the ANC," the party said.
"The decision enhances the unity and cohesion of the ANC in Tlokwe and the province in general."
Registered candidates for the Tlokwe by-election are:
Ward 1: Macro Mothopeng
Ward 4: Rev Jimmy Msindi
Ward 6: Jefta Monaise
Ward 11: Glenrose Maroganye
Ward 12: Duduetsang Modise
Ward 13: Thabo Melamu
Ward 18: Thapelo Skhosana
Ward 20: Dodo Maneli
Ward 26: Oupa Mogoshane
Another by-election in the province will be held in Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality in Zeerust on the same day. The ANC’s Pogiso Maetla will contest elections for Ward 2 in that municipality.