By-election needed after murder
According to the IEC, a by-election should be held within 90 days after a vacancy had been declared by the municipal manager concerned.
A VACANCY has been declared after an ANC councillor at Umuziwabantu municipality was murdered.
Municipal manager Sazi Mbhele confirmed that a letter had been sent to the independent electoral commission (IEC) to start a by-election process.
According to the IEC, a by-election should be held within 90 days after a vacancy had been declared by the municipal manager concerned.
IEC Spokesman Siphiwe Yeni confirmed receipt of the letter.
“We will start with registering voters at the beginning of October, thereafter a date for the by-election will be announced,” he said.
Community members claim to be living in fear after the assassination of their Ward 1 election candidate.
Bongani Skhosana was shot dead at his Santombe homestead near Harding, weeks before elections.
He was shot twice in the head in front of his wife as he was about to leave home.
He triumphed in the elections by more than 60 percent, despite his absence.
No arrests have been made yet; investigations continue.
A community member, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation. said those who are expected to be candidates were already receiving death threats.
“We are now living in fear. We don’t know who will be next. We are even afraid to go to meetings,” said the distraught person.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
