The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is optimistic about a smoother second day of special voting after experiencing delays in getting ballots to polling stations in Cape Town on Monday. All polling stations are expected to open at 8 am. The IEC's hopes for a more efficient process come as the country prepares for the 2026 local government elections. Special voting is a crucial part of the electoral process, allowing certain groups such as elderly and infirm voters to cast their ballots.
MK Party officials in KwaZulu-Natal are en route to the South Coast, where the party's regional coordinator, Lastborn Shazi, was gunned down on Monday night. Shazi was killed while preparing for the 2026 local government elections slated for 4 November 2026. The murder has sparked concern and condemnation from various quarters, with the MK Party officials expected to attend to the situation on the South Coast.
Agricultural economist and presidential envoy Wandile Sihlobo said South Africa's removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) does not mean the country will lose access to the United States (US) market. Sihlobo said the move is not entirely unexpected, as South Africa was already under pressure in 2014 to graduate from the preferential trade arrangement and pursue a full trade agreement with the United States.
Lawyers representing Ekurhuleni municipal manager Kagiso Lerutla said they are considering an application under Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act to have the fraud case struck off the roll. This follows delays in the matter, including the outstanding outcome of representations made in September to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The case has been ongoing, with Lerutla's lawyers seeking to have it dismissed.
In a separate development, Russia's air defence systems downed nearly 500 drones headed towards Moscow, as a flare-up in fighting with Ukraine dashed hopes of progress towards peace. The attacks followed a rare pause in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson, which ended on Sunday. The truce had enabled a humanitarian mission to the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky.
The National Joint Task Force (NATJOINTS) reported 21 criminal cases and six arrests during special voting ahead of the local polls. The Electoral Commission has also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation. Meanwhile, Team South Africa has enjoyed a successful run at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics, with Callum Dreyer winning the country's first gold medal.
The family of Lastborn Shazi paid tribute to him, while the DA and FF+ held the ANC responsible for South Africa's AGOA exclusion. The country's exit from AGOA has sparked concerns about its implications for the economy. The government has sought to allay fears, with Sihlobo stating that the move does not necessarily mean a loss of access to the US market.
Key points
- The IEC is hoping for a smoother second day of special voting after delays in Cape Town.
- MK Party officials are heading to KZN after the murder of their regional coordinator.
- South Africa's removal from AGOA does not necessarily mean a loss of access to the US market.
