The Mariental Municipal Council is without office bearers after it failed to hold an election after the term expired on the 30th of November.

The scheduled election for 26 November failed to take place after the Landless Peoples’ Movement withdrew one of its councillors, leaving the meeting without a quorum.

Section 11 of the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992, as amended, governs the election of the mayor and deputy mayor.

Mariental Municipality Chief Executive Officer Paul Nghiwelepo said operating without a management committee is not ideal, and he expressed hope that the status quo will not go beyond January 2025.