Vuyolwethu Sangotsha, Elisha Molefe and Canaan Mdletshe

Vuyolwethu Sangotsha, Elisha Molefe and Canaan Mdletshe

The ANC in the Eastern Cape on Monday announced the names of the first three politicians who joined the party since the opening of the floor-crossing window period.

The defectors are former United Independent Front (UIF) provincial leader Mabandla Gogo, and two independent ward councillors from Mbhizana municipality, Edson Bonile Miya and Wawa Hlangabezo.

Gogo said prior to crossing the floor he had interacted with the ANC provincial chief whip, Sicelo Gqobana, and informed him of his intention to join the ruling party.

In North West, the official opposition United Christian Democratic Party (UCDP) lost seven councillors to other political parties. Party spokesman Sipho Mfundisi rejected reports that 15 councillors in three municipalities had defected.

Meanwhile, Waghied Misbach reports that the South African Communist Party (SACP) has labelled as a "hoax" an e-mail circulating that certain ANC MPs were planing to defect to the party.

But SACP spokesman Malesela Maleka told Sowetan yesterday that he knew nothing about the e-mail. He said his party had nothing to do with the e-mail.

"It is a hoax, we are committed to an ANC-led government," said Maleka.

The SACP registered itself as a political party with the Independent Electoral Commission in December last year.