South Africa's local government elections experienced a string of disruptions and challenges on Wednesday, with voters facing issues with identity documents, political party clothing, and voting station allocation. At Kanana Primary School in Midrand, police were called after a man allegedly presented a fake identity document, triggering a confrontation that disrupted voting. The incident frustrated residents who had been waiting for hours to cast their ballots, with some arriving as early as 5am.
The problems continued across the country, with voters being turned away over damaged identity documents and political party clothing. In KwaZulu-Natal, a police sergeant was removed from election duty after allegedly arriving at a voting station in a vehicle displaying posters of a political party. Police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the officer had been removed as a precaution while internal disciplinary action was being considered. Acting provincial commissioner Maj-Gen Phumelele Makoba condemned the officer's alleged conduct.
In a separate incident at M Section in Umlazi, a man was arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers at a voting station. The suspect was apparently drunk and attacked officers who tried to control him. He was arrested for assault, while additional charges relating to possible contraventions of the Electoral Act were being considered. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by voters and election officials on the day.
In Cape Town's Nyanga, some voters encountered problems over their political party clothing and identity documents. Zuko Jada, 42, was turned away from Mvula Primary School because he arrived in an ANC T-shirt. Officials told him the voting station was not a campaigning area. ANC members outside the station eventually helped him by giving him another shirt to wear over his party-branded clothing, allowing him to cast his vote.
The problems also raised concerns about the allocation of voting stations and whether voters were being discouraged by having to travel further to cast their ballots. Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said he and his son, a first-time voter, had been assigned polling stations several kilometres from their home despite a voting station being located just outside their gate. Zibi warned that the distances, coupled with long queues at redirected stations, could discourage people from voting.
Actor Tumisho Masha faces possible legal consequences after allegedly posting a photograph of his marked ballot paper on social media, apparently revealing that he had voted for ActionSA. Masha, who had earlier shared his experience of voting at Lyndhurst Primary School, declined to comment when contacted about the police investigation and possible criminal charges. The incident highlighted concerns about the secrecy of the ballot.
Despite the challenges, many voters managed to cast their ballots, with some expressing frustration but ultimately participating in the electoral process. Nompumelelo Mosibudi waited three hours before being told she had been moved from North Bag Primary School to Spark, 15km away. She was instructed to collect a sticker at her original station to skip the queue. Despite considering abandoning her vote, she changed her mind and cast her ballot.
Key points
- Voters faced disruptions and challenges due to issues with identity documents, political party clothing, and voting station allocation.
- A police sergeant was removed from election duty for allegedly arriving at a voting station in a vehicle displaying posters of a political party.
- Actor Tumisho Masha faces possible legal consequences for allegedly posting a photograph of his marked ballot paper on social media.
