Thabazimbi by-elections: Political parties deploy prominent leaders to garner votes

THABAZIMBI - Political parties contesting a by-election in Thabazimbi have deployed some of their top leaders to Limpopo in a bid to get voters.

The council was dissolved due to political infighting between the Democratic Alliance and the African National Congress (ANC).

Both parties had parallel governments in the municipality, with each claiming to be the legitimate administration.

Voters in the municipality have queued at several voting stations to cast their ballots.

As Eyewitness News travels through Thabazimbi's narrow and bumpy roads, the sight of colourful posters and billboards is the order of the day as political parties aim to win over the municipality.

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At each voting station, the parties have deployed some of their most well-known members, hoping to sway voters in their favour.

The DA’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, who is deployed to the Höerskool Frikkie Meyer voting station, says the blue party has done everything it can to convince voters to support them.

"Thabazimbi is very much important. You would remember that this is also a mining town. It's one of those towns that are very much economically active not only for the province but for the whole country. Therefore, it is important that its government is running as efficiently as possible."

In the 2021 local government elections, the ANC received 47% of the vote in Thabazimbi. 

However, similar to the metros in Gauteng, the municipality also faced several motions of no confidence.