Phalaborwa: Only 52% of residents voted
The fourth local government elections in the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (LIM334) witnessed the new kid in the republic's political spectrum, Economic Freedom Fighters, winning six Proportional Representative seats, whilst the governing party lost four.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had registered 70 416 voters, but only 36 608 voted.
There were 528 Ward, 548 Local Proportional Representatives and 492 District Council spoiled ballots.
The ANC, the leading party with 67.65%, won 26 seats inclusive of 17 wards and 9 PR seats out of a possible 13 it had planned to retain.
The party had registered 74.9% in 2000, 78.17% in 2006 and 78.62% in 2011.
The new official opposition, the EFF scored 15.3% and six PR seat.
The majority party will choose one of its PR members to be appointed in the council executive committee.
The Democratic Alliance, despite having retained its two wards in town and two PR seats, lost its official opposition status after scoring 11.06%.
The DA scored 11.14% in 2000, 8.95% in 2006 and 9.64% in 2011. The ANC’s 17 ward councillors in chronological order are: Ward 1 Mampuru Nkwane Johannes, Ward 2 Malesa Mantsana Mavis, Ward 3 Mashego Kgera Petrus, Ward 4 Matlala Lebo Moses, Ward 5 Valoyi Mzimani Jack, Ward 6 Mkansi Sakani Thomas, Ward 7 Peta Kedibone Alinah, Ward 8 Malatji Thabo Calbert, Ward 9 Rapatsa Victor Mohale, Ward 10, Shayi Sinah Modjadji, Ward 13 ANC MhlariKhavi Percy, Ward 14 Mokoena Mashele Eunice Annetjie Ward 15, Makasela Richard, Ward 16 Nkuna Thompson, Ward 17 Mokgalaka Mapiti Eddy, Ward 18 Magomane Khashane Mmatapa Sophia and Ward 19 Dikgale Puleng Selinah. The DA’s ward councillors are: Ward 11 DA, De Beer Sybrandt Rynardt and Ward 12, DA Williamson Jane Adrienna.
Independent candidates were, Ward 2 Ntshieng Macdonald Malatji, Ward 2 Martha Motopiwa Malatji, Ward 3 Alios Jukujuku Mgiba, Ward 6 Tshepo Mmotla and Ward 12 Hermanus ‘Manie’ Kriel. They only managed 1.61% votes combined. Smaller political parties did not perform well as was widely expected.
In 2011, Congress of the People attained 4.35% and this year a mere 1.11% and will mostly likely be represented by their ex MDM PR councillor, Sello Mokoele who was contesting ward 1.
African Christian Democratic Party in 2000 attained 3.69%, 2.52% in 2006, 1.12% in 2011 and 0.45% this year. Pan Africanist Congress in 2000 attained 0%, 1.96% in 2006, 0.35 in 2011 and 0.17% in 2016. Independent Rate Payers Association of South Africa attained 2.77% in 2011 and a mere 0.99% this year. African Peoples Convention scored 0.7%. AFS attained just 0.14%, United People of South Africa 0.1% and AGANG SA 0.4%.
