The Ditsobotla Local Municipality by-election was held on Wednesday. Prior to the by-elections, Ditsobotla had two mayors, and their fi¬ght for the position resulted in little work being done in the municipality. After two months without leadership in the dysfunctional Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West province, residents finally had the opportunity to vote for new leaders on Wednesday. Residents were out in their numbers, standing in very long queues to cast their votes in the by-election. But casting their votes wasn't their fi¬rst priority - many were queueing for water.
The densely populated Boikhutso township was host to a number of voting stations. Most residents work in the nearby town of Lichtenburg, the seat of the Ditsobotla municipality. Before Ditsobotla became leaderless, it had two leaders - two mayors, both from the ANC - who fought over the council's mayoral chains and the control it symbolised.
The Ditsobotla council was dissolved following a decision by the North West executive committee to place the municipality under administration in September. According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), 20 ward seats were up for grabs in Wednesday's by-election.
Tshidi Masilo, who works outside Lichtenburg as a bartender, said he wasn't going to vote. He lives with his family in the Phola township on the outskirts of the town. "There is no future here for my family. There is no future for me. If I fi¬nd another job, I won't hesitate to leave. I'm actually shocked at how these [mayors] have been openly fi¬ghting for control of the municipality. And they want us to vote."
Masilo was referring to an alleged incident in September when the security officials of the two mayors, Tsholofelo Moreo and Tebogo Buthelezi, clashed in front of the municipal buildings. Residents claimed the men went as far as ¬ring their weapons.
At the time of going to print, the IEC's North West commissioner Tumelontle Thiba said it was too early to give an indication of the voter turnout. But she said the provisional turnout for those who voted on Tuesday was just above 20% of the registered voters.
Before publication, the media and general public were waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the by-elections from the Independent Electoral Commission.
