A by-election is set to take place at a ward previously won by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at Eastern Cape's Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) metro this week. 

Five candidates from five political parties will contest the Wednesday by-election following the expulsion of the DA councillor from the party, said the Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).

The DA, the African National Congress (ANC), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Congress of the People (COPE) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will all vie for control of the ward at the NMB council that is also facing the possible removal of its DA mayor Athol Trollip.

In a dramatic move, the EFF turned its back on the DA after the latter's opposition to the land expropriation without compensation motion in Parliament. The red berets had until recently voted for the DA to take power at coalition municipalities after the 2016 local government elections.

EFF leader Julius Malema told supporters at the party's election campaign launch held in Johannesburg on Sunday that his party would vote for former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas to replace Trollip.

He said Jonas was "untainted" after he refused to take a hefty amount of cash as a bribe by the fugitive Gupta family.