ABERDEEN NUUS - The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM)is heading towards a municipal by-election scheduled for 18 March. 

This follows the recent resignation of ANC councillor Nathan Jacobs, which resulted in the Ward 7 - Aberdeen Town, Adendorp and Koebergville - ward councillor position being vacant.

When a councillor resigns from a municipal council, the vacancy is dealt with in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act and the Electoral Act. 

If the vacancy concerns a ward councillor, as is the case with Jacobs, a by-election must be held within 90 days of the date on which the vacancy arises so that voters can elect a new representative. 

If it is a proportional representation (PR) councillor, the vacancy is filled by the relevant political party in accordance with its approved party list. 

Until the vacancy is filled, the council continues to function with one fewer member, and its decisions remain valid, provided that a quorum is present.

For a municipal ward by-election in South Africa, only voters who are registered in the specific ward where the by-election is taking place are eligible to vote, while those registered in different wards or municipalities are not. 

Any political party that is registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is allowed to contest a municipal ward by-election. 

In addition, independent candidates who meet the IEC’s requirements (for example, being South African citizens, being 18 years or older, and being residents within the particular municipality) may also make themselves available. 

In this event, the IEC will oversee the nomination process, ensure that all candidates meet the legal criteria, and officially list them on the ballot for the by-election.

Subsequent to his resignation, Jacobs stated that his decision to leave the ANC and officially join the PA was motivated by a number of issues within the municipality which, in his opinion, the ANC continually failed to address. 

These issues include, inter alia, the alleged irregularities in the process of appointing certain employees, the awarding of certain tenders, and the outsourcing of municipal services. 

Graaff-Reinet Advertiser is investigating Jacobs’ allegations and will report on them in due time.

It has not yet been confirmed which parties or independent candidates will be contesting the by-election in Ward 7. It has, however, been confirmed that the IEC declared the vacancy during a Municipal Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) meeting last Thursday, 15 January, and that the by-election will officially be called on 6 February. 

Registration weekend has been scheduled for 31 January to 1 February, whereafter special votes will open on 2 March and close on 17 March, and the by-election will take place on 18 March.

The DBNLM council comprises 24 councillors. Prior to Jacobs’ resignation, the ANC (11 councillors), with the supporting votes of the CSA (1) and EFF (1), generally controlled the decision-making power in council, as opposed to the DA (10) and FF+ (1). 

With Jacobs’ resignation, there may be a shift in the power dynamics within the municipality should a different party take control of Ward 7.

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