The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has successfully retained Ward 13 in Seshego, near Polokwane, Limpopo, in a closely fought by-election. The party secured a majority with 57.34% of the vote, while the African National Congress (ANC) trailed in second place with just over 40%, equating to approximately 2,000 votes. The South African Communist Party (SACP), contesting independently from the ANC for the first time in the province, garnered only 70 votes, representing just over 1% of the total ballots cast.
Nkaro Mateta, the IEC Provincial Electoral Officer, declared Michael Ramaphoko of the EFF as the new ward councillor. “The winner for this ward is a candidate from themalema-blames-ex-deputy-for-partys-kwazulu-natal-election-blow/"> Economic Freedom Fighters, Mongatane Michael Ramaphoko, who won with 57.34%,” Mateta stated, congratulating the EFF while encouraging other parties to regroup for future contests.
The SACP, despite its modest performance, maintained that its decision to contest independently would not strain its relationship with the ANC within the tripartite alliance.
