ANC STATEMENT ON BY-ELECTIONS HELD YESTERDAY 24TH APRIL 2013

The African National Congress is happy with the outcome of yesterday`s by-elections that saw twenty (20) wards being contested in the overall by-elections taking place in eight provinces of our country.

Out of the twenty wards, the ANC retained ten (10) wards and lost four (4); one in Northern Cape (!Kheis), two in Limpopo ( Thulamela and Eastern Tubatse),  and one in Free state (Setsoto) to independents. It is only in Thulamela (Limpopo) were we to the PAC. The ANC is currently investigating its non- registration of a candidate in Rustenberg, Tswaing in North West. This is a demonstration that the ANC remains rooted in its constituencies and it continues to sustain its base.

The majority of these by-elections were as a result of the ANC's decision to remove ANC councillors who were irregularly nominated during the 2011 local government elections. Regardless of the negative implication of the decision, the ANC demonstrated its seriousness when it comes to its internal democratic practices. This illustrate that the ANC can be trusted by all South Africans.

We want to thank all those that reaffirmed their confidence in the ANC because of its commitment to change and transformation. The ANC will intensify its efforts to regain its lost ground in the provinces where we lost.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, April 25 2013

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