THE expelled ANC councillors from Mangaung Metro Municipality in the Free State are confident of winning the highly contested by-elections in Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, Bloemfontein and Wepener on Wednesday, 19 July.
Four wards in Mangaung Metro have remained vacant following the expulsion of eight ANC councillors in Mangaung Metro, who allegedly defied the party's mandate and voted with the opposition.
The angry councillors have formed a new organisation called Mangaung Seven to contest the elections with maximum force and retain their seats in the council.
In an interview with Daily Sun, the councillors representative Patrick Monyakwane said they were expelled because of their fight against corruption.
ALSO READ: ANCYL: Step aside madalas, gogos!
"We have exposed the ghost workers in the municipality. The office of the speaker and the mayor knew ghost workers who earned no less than R50 000. We found that some of the ghost workers were members of the ANC region, while others were identified as then members of the Interim Provincial Executive Committee.
"We also fought for a budget that did not accommodate our wards, which was setting us for failure in the eyes of residents. We have convincing support to win. What happened in the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality in 2019 history will repeat itself," he said
The expelled ANC councillors include former Mangaung Metro deputy mayor Mapaseka Nkwane-Mothibi, Puseletso Seleke, Mpho Mokoakoa, Samuel Kabi, Tshediso Mokoai, Chabedi Rampai, Lehlohonolo Moqolo, Lelala Makoa, as well as Patrick.
ANC provincial spokesman Jabu Mbalula said the Mangaung by-election was taking place under different political conditions that would inevitably lead to a different outcome for the ANC than what happened in Maluti-a-Phofung in 2019.
"ANC is people's organisation. It was founded for the people. Whenever some of our members or representatives make mistakes, we always humble ourselves before the people. The expelled councillors members were elected by our people based on their membership. The mass of our people elect ANC, not individuals," he said
Mbalula said that ANC has decided to expel rogue councillors who oppose the organisation and its caucus members.
"The organisation acknowledged its weaknesses and has committed itself to business as usual. Any councillor who stands opposed to the electoral promises we have made to our people will not be tolerated," said Mbalula
Twenty-seven candidates from different parties are on track to win the by-elections.
Provincial Independent Commissions (IEC) confirmed that the registered parties include ACDP, ANC, DA, EFF, IFP, Lentswe la Batho, Progress, UCDP, and five independent candidates.
IEC spokeswoman Mathabo Rasengane said the commission is ready to hold by-elections in Mangaung.
Rasengane said they do not feel threatened by allegations of safety because they have good relations with the South African national defence Force and Police.
