NEWCASTLE – The Electoral Court has deemed the by-elections for Ward 23, which took place on August 3, as invalid.
This comes after it was discovered 600 people who did not live in the area were permitted to cast their vote.
The court has now ordered fresh by-elections to be held within 90 days of January 15.
The ruling was made after an application was made by former ANC member and councillor, Blessing Mwali, who said the elections were not free and fair because of the outside votes.
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In the Electoral Court’s ruling, it found the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) did not comply with a Constitutional Court judgement that there should be a voters roll containing addresses of all voters.
Mr Mwali was delighted at the court ruling, saying he had been vindicated.
“The thing is, people not resident in the ward don’t know me and could not have voted for me,” Mwali said.
ANC KZN spokesman, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said they, too, welcomed the court decision.
He said the ruling party would encourage residents to register to vote in the wards they resided in, and that they would contest the by-election.
However, Mr Mwali said he took the legal action in pursuance of justice, and had been aware that he was putting his life at risk.
“I know I am not safe. Anything can happen to me.”
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The IEC will announce when the by-election is set to take place and what steps will be taken to ensure the correct protocol is observed.
Updates to follow.
