Seven independent candidates and two political parties will contest the February 24 municipal ward by-election in Tlokwe in the North West province, the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced.

The IEC on Tuesday released the list of candidates contesting the much awaited by-election in the Tlokwe local municipality (Potchefstroom) in North West.

The by-elections are as result of the Constitutional Court ruling in November last year, which set aside the outcome of the by-election held on 18 September 2013 in ward 18 and by-elections held on 11 December 2013 in wards 1, 4, 11, 12, 13 and 20. The court ordered that fresh by-elections must be held.

Ward 1 will be contested by Matong John Seleke, an independent candidate, Mahaisa Samuel Mothopeng of the ANC and Vuyani Aubrey Nzunga of the DA.
Ward 4 will be contested by        Johanna Shono Xaba       , an independent candidate,       Thamsanqa Nols Kondile       of the ANC and      Ludwig Johannes Zerwick      of the   DA.
Ward 11 will be contested by      Lenah Mamosebi Mahlatsi     , an independent candidate,     Thabiso Glenrose Maaroganye     of the ANC and    Obakeng Paul Mokgosi    of the DA.  
Ward 12 will be contested by    Mamogabi Aletta Matlou   , an independent candidate,   Dudu Petrus Modise   of the ANC and  Glen Mosenogi  of the DA.  
Ward 13 will be contested by  Kelvin Arthur Johnson  of the ANC and Glenville Marvin Levert Fransman of the DA. 
Ward 18 will be contested by  Kgang Johannes Rabotso , an independent candidate, Tshepo Joshua Chembe, an independent candidate, Thapelo Abram Skozana o f the ANC and Zweli Joel Mathebula of the DA.
Ward 20 will be contested by Pasela Aaron Mohlope, an independent candidate, Komani Moses Maneli of the ANC and Metlholo Petrus Mosounyana of the DA.

On February 2, the Congress of the People (Cope) in North West said it would not contest by-elections but would rather support independent candidates.

“We will instead support and assist independent candidates with campaigning and giving our votes to them in ensuring that they emerge victorious on that day,” said Cope provincial spokesperson Kenneth Maduna at the time.

He said Cope members would support independent candidates to ensure that they won at least four out of seven wards.

“Tlokwe 2013 by-elections has taught us an invaluable lesson, not to contest wards where other opposition parties contest, specifically on by-elections only, we won’t risk splitting votes, but rather we will channel them to one basket, which is the basket of independent candidates, wherever they contest.”