Masilonyana Municipality faces hung council amid financial woes

The financially embattled Masilonyana Municipality in the Free State is heading for a hung council following Wednesday’s local government elections.

The municipality, which struggled to pay salaries on time last month, has for the first time failed to produce an outright winner.

With 100% of the votes counted and audited, the Electoral Commission (IEC) in Lejweleputswa says three new parties, including the South African Communist Party (SACP), will occupy seats in the Masilonyana council.

In the neighbouring Matjhabeng Municipality, voting remains slow, with 20% of the votes counted so far.

The IEC’s Lejweleputswa manager Moeketse Rasheane says they are hoping to reach the 50% mark later this afternoon.

The SACP has also reportedly secured a seat in the Tokologo Municipality.

EFF unhappy with performance in Matjhabeng

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) mayoral candidate in Matjhabeng, Thomas Macingwane, says they are not happy with their performance.

Macingwane says that even though the party is disappointed in the results thus far, they will be more than willing to form part of a coalition government in Matjhabeng.

Macingwane also emphasised how important it is for residents to take part in elections.

“It is very important for residents to take part in elections as it is the only democratic way of electing, or rather removing leaders. It is inevitable that there’s going to be a coalition government, and the EFF will not shy away from taking part in it. And we hope that it will be a coalition government that will deliver services to our people, restore the dignity of this municipality and give the people of Matjhabeng Municipality what works for them.”

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