The Independent Electoral Commission in Limpopo has announced that the anticipated by-elections at the recently dissolved Thabazimbi Local Municipality will be held on 04 December 2024.
Following the previous council’s dissolution under Section 139 (1) (c) of the Constitution of South Africa, which allows for such intervention to ensure effective governance, the municipality was placed under administration on 03 October 2024, after a unanimous decision taken by the National Council of Provinces.
On 07 October 2024, Mavi Paul Maseko’s appointment as the Administrator to lead the team tasked with restoring governance in the municipality was announced.
Maseko, who is said to be a respected figure in the local government sector, was introduced to Limpopo Premier by the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Basikopo Makamu as well as the MEC for Provincial Treasury, Kgabo Mahoai.
Thabazimbi municipality has 12 Wards and residents of these Wards will vote for a new Council, that includes the Mayor and Political Management Team(PMT) on Wednesday, 04 December 2024.
The Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta announced this week that voter registration starts on Saturday the 19th of October for all affected Wards of Thabazimbi.
There are 57 voting districts and according to Mateta, it is not clear how many political parties, independent included, will participate.
Previously, voter’s participation was 41% and IEC will acquire the services of Democracy Education Facilitators, who will have one on one sessions at the voting districts.
The commission also said it has no set budget for these type of elections.
“We are going to prioritise voting districts that performed poorly.
IEC does not have a specific budget for by-elections and this is because we don’t know if a Councillor will resign or if a municipality will dissolve”, she said.
Mateta added that there are times when the IEC approaches National Treasury to supplement the limited budget it has, to ensure that there is smooth running of free and fair elections.