IEC Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta says it is all systems go for Musina’s special voter registration starting Monday.
Picture credit: Montsho Matlala
By Montsho Matlala
Musina: Six political parties are expected to battle it out in a By-Election at Ward 2 of the Musina Local Municipality, located near the Beit Bridge Port of Entry with Zimbabwe, next month.
IEC provincial electoral officer in Limpopo, Nkaro Mateta, said applications for special votes would open on Monday and close on Friday.
“Voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply at the Musina local IEC office during office hours by submitting MEC 35 forms. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else (a proxy) may deliver your completed form on your behalf. Applications can also be made online via the IEC website (www.elections.org.za),” explained Mateta.
Ward 2 became vacant following the death of ANC councillor David Mokobi in July.
While the ANC is eager to retain the ward, the outcome is uncertain this time around.
A long-time ally in the race, the SACP, has broken ranks and will, for the first time, contest the by-election independently.
Other contestants vying for control of the water-scarce ward include the EFF, DA, Build a Better South Africa, and the Economic Liberators Forum South Africa.
Jerry Muthambi, a resident of Nancefield under Musina Municipality, said:
“The water is scarce and people with tap water face high bills, while most places here smell of sewage.
The biggest problem is crime; undocumented immigrants commit crimes and slip into Zimbabwe. This does not mean locals are angels—they also commit crimes, but at least they have fingerprint records.”
