The by-election in the Mantsopa Local Municipality in the Free State will be held on Wednesday, 17 January, following the announcement by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The upcoming by-election will be held in ward 7, Ladybrand.
This follows the resignation of Tania Halse, long-serving councillor of the Democratic Alliance (DA). She has been recommended to serve in Parliament. Of the four political parties vying for the available seat, three have representation in the Mantsopa council. The parties are the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), DA and the ANC, which governs the municipality as the majority party. The fourth party is the Truth and Solidarity Movement (TSM).
The three established parties have unveiled their preferred candidates to fill the vacant post in ward 7. They are: Motumi David Madonsela (ANC), Leon Nicolas Van Wyk (DA), Koba Magriet Van Wyk (EFF), and Mamajemane Arcelia Sekolanyane (TSM).
Mmathabo Rasengane, provincial spokesperson of the IEC, said preparations are in order for the upcoming by-election. She shared that in the 2021 municipal election the voter turnout was 46,95% for ward 7.
The governing ANC won a majority of eleven seats on the council while the DA and EFF managed to secure four and two seats, respectively. The Congress of the People (Cope), which has one seat in the council did not register a candidate for the by-election.
The ANC-led municipality governs the towns Excelsior, Hobhouse, Ladybrand, Thaba Patchoa, and Tweespruit.
