By Daniel Seopa
Seshego – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) obtained 57% of the vote and defeated the African National Congress (ANC) by 966 votes in the Ward 13 by-election held in Seshego, Polokwane. With this victory, the EFF’s support increased from 51% in earlier polls to 41%, while the ANC’s share fell from 47% to 41%. The highly contested by-election took place on the 16th of July at Mponegele Primary School, Seshego, outside Polokwane.
Thousands of registered voters from Seshego and Juju Valley made their call heard by exercising their democratic right. A total of around 5,830 votes were counted. With 3,396 votes, the EFF consolidated its control over the ward, followed by the ANC with 2,430 votes, and the South African Communist Party (SACP) with only 1% from 58 votes.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reported a seamless procedure free of significant incidents. According to Provincial Electoral Officer Nkaro Mateta, the special votes were used as a dry run to test systems as part of the preparations.
The EFF president, Julius Malema, was flanked by the party supporters to cast his ballot at Mponegele Primary School. Engaging with the media outside the voting station, he announced Ward 13 as EFF territory while speaking to the journalists outside the voting station. He expressed his appreciation for Ward 13 residents’ faith in the EFF.