In March 2023, the ANC's Mangaung Regional Committee fired eight councillors for allegedly voting with opposition parties in the council.

ALSO READ – Breaking News: ANC expells eight Mangaung councillors - VIDEO

Later on, the party councillors and ANC found themselves engaged in a court battle over the constitutionality of their dismal from the party. On Friday 23 June, the High Court judge is set to deliver a judgment. 

On Thursday 22 June, the judgment between Lehlohonolo Moqolo & others was postponed to Friday morning.

On 14 April, the ANC in Mangaung in the Free State served seven of its councillors with a court interdict following a council sitting which elected opposition party leader Papi Mokoena as the Executive Mayor of the Metro.

ALSO READ: ANC Mangaung interdict defiant councillors

OFM News reported that the Metro Municipality in the Free State is set to hold by-elections in July 2023 after the ruling ANC, with the majority in the council, fired eight councillors in March 2023.

ANC councillors, including the former deputy mayor Mapaseka Nokoane Mothibi and former Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Patrick Monyakoane and others, allegedly voted with the opposition parties for the DA's speaker.

The Free State Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) spokesperson, Mmabatho Rasenagni, said four wards, which include wards in Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, Wepener and Bloemfontein, are among those to hold by-elections. Rasengani said close to 30 000 people from the four wards are registered voters.

OFM News