Fielding an “Independent Candidate” supported by the DA boils down to collusion with the ANC to split the opposition vote in a tightly fought by election.

Addressing a packed audience at Jacobsdal, South West Free State on Sunday, COPE Deputy President,  Mbhazima Shilowa said that after the DA decided not to field a candidate in an important by election this week, a local DA leader appeared on nomination day, claiming to be an independent. If the man wants to stand as an independent, it’s his democratic right, but there is no place in politics for “sneak independents”, Shilowa said.

Despite active support from the DA leadership in the town, The "unofficial" DA candidate was unable to get the required 50 signatures from legitimately registered voters and should have been disqualified. He was however given time by the  IEC’s local Municipal Electoral officer to submit correct names after nominations had closed.

“This was highly irregular” Claims Shilowa, citing the case when ANC candidates in the Western Cape were disqualified for late submission during 2009. “The ruling was upheld on appeal then, so we believe that the local presiding office of the IEC made a judgment error in allowing the nomination now,” Shilowa said.

The IEC has been given until 0900 on Monday 25 January to confirm disqualification of the irregular nomination, failing which, COPE will seek an urgent court interdict to compel the IEC to do so in the Bloemfontein High Court.

The DA leadership in the Free State has been informed accordingly.

The by election is set to be a head to head contest between the ANC and COPE. The COPE candidate, Ms Vanita Coetzee, a 35 year old local businesswoman and ex schoolteacher  said that they have worked very hard and that her campaign is gaining momentum by the hour as voters join the campaign against broken ANC promises and absence of decent service delivery. “It’s going to be tough, but we are ready to fight for what is right” Coetzee said.