The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has lost one seat to an independent candidate while retaining another in municipal ward by-elections in Mpumalanga this week, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said.

In a vote held in Dr JS Moroka municipality on Tuesday,  independent candidate Marks Ntuli was victorious with 50.11 percent of the votes cast. The seat was previously held by the ANC but its victory in a by-election last June was set aside by the Electoral Court.

In another by-election in Ward 1 of Thaba Chweu on Wednesday, the ANC managed to retain its seat through new incoming councillor Phindiwe Segoane, the IEC said.