Category: Key Issues

National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli, says participating in elections is an act of defence for democracy.

Millions of South Africans have taken to the polls today to make their mark in the 2021 Local Government Elections.

Tsenoli said not participating in elections is to allow the “wrong practices to take root in our absence (sic)”.

“As angry and disappointed we may be in certain respects, we must nevertheless exercise our right to vote; and to visibly, practically show our preference for democratic decision-making… To defend democracy, deepen it and literally advance it is an act of deep revolutionary duty for all of us,” he said on Monday.

He said democratic processes like voting are a manifestation of the Constitution, which require that new leaders to be elected every five years.

“When we each go to vote, whatever our status, we reinforce the principle of equality in key local decision making responsibility,” Tsenoli said.

The Deputy Speaker praised the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for its work in carrying out the elections, including special votes that were cast over the weekend.

“We know already the IEC officials have visited voters in their homes, who could not travel to voting stations. We commend them for this crucial task in support of democracy. This body is one of the structures created to support democracy as required by the Constitution.

“When we also turn out in our numbers to deepen this culture [of voting], we consolidate a key responsibility to realise our vision of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.”

Tsenoli said councillors and municipal officials must consult the communities they serve “regularly on matters” when local government elections have come and gone.

“[W]hen that happens properly [and] regularly, we ensure that both the representative and participatory requirements of the Constitution are implemented…” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Electoral Commission in KwaZulu-Natal says despite the minor logistical problems experienced in some voting stations earlier today, at least 80% of voting stations opened on time, with 1 263 352 (or 23%) voters having cast their ballot by 4pm.

The Commission said a few voting stations opened late for a number of reasons, including a dispute regarding traditional leadership at KwaNyavu in Mkhambathini Municipality reported on Sunday, where voting station officers were not comfortable working at the voting station because they reside in the area and were receiving threats which made them feel unsafe.

“To resolve the situation, the IEC swapped staff around by sourcing personnel that resides outside the area to conduct voting station operations. Road blockages were also experienced in Ward 15 in Jozini Municipality. The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with the municipality, assisted with clearing the roads. The last voting station to open in the ward was Ludaka Primary School at about 9am,” the Commission reported.

Road closures were also experienced in uThukela region. However, they were cleared by SAPS members. In KwaMaphumulo Ward 3 (Elungeni Primary School), gates to the voting station were locked by the community.

“SAPS were able to break the lock to gain access. We have received reports that in some voting stations, presiding officers were not allowing voters to go through the process until they were successfully scanned through the Voter Management Devices (VMDs). That has been addressed through the bulk SMS facility.

“There was also a voting station that was broken into overnight in eThekwini Metro Ward 14. Voting station officers had left the voting station prepared for today. Everything was vandalised, however, it was only bulk material, which is voting compartments, ballot boxes and tables,” the Commission said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Over eight million South Africans had cast their votes at 23 148 voting stations as at 5pm, the Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Monday.

Giving an update on the progress on Election Day of the 2021 Local Government Elections, less than an hour before the polling stations closed at 9pm, IEC Commissioner, Dr Nomusa Masuku, said the Commission has noted reports from Commission’s call centre regarding some registered voters who couldn’t find their names on the voters’ roll.

Masuku said the voters’ roll has been updated and the Commission is attending and responding to complaints, as they are raised, and continues to communicate with the affected voters.

Masuku also reported that investigations have been conducted into the reported shortage of ballot papers in several voting districts.

“As pointed out earlier, there should be no shortage because the Commission procured 100% of the ballots needed. We are happy to report that the shortages from distribution issues have been resolved and the Commission continues to monitor voting station performance in this regard.

“The Commission also reassures voters that sufficient Universal Ballot Templates (UBTs) have been procured and there should not be shortages. Voters are encouraged to report shortages when experienced,” she said.

Masuku said the Commission, together with the South African National Council for the Blind, developed the UBT to assist persons with disabilities and special needs to have an independent and secret vote during elections.

Protests

Masuku said all 20 voting stations, which did not open in KwaZulu-Natal due to community protests, including 19 voting stations that did not open in the Eastern Cape due to civil unrest, were subsequently opened and were processing votes.

“The Commission has fixed tents that had been blown away by strong winds in the Free State and Northern Cape,” said Masuku.

She reiterated that voting will continue throughout until 9pm when voting stations close, and voters who are at the voting station or in a queue at the closing time, will be allowed to vote.

“Voters must have their ID documents with them and are reminded that each ballot paper must be stamped on the reverse. Voters are also reminded that it is prohibited to take a photograph of a marked ballot paper. This is essential to protect the secrecy and integrity of their vote.

“After voting stations close at 9pm and voters in the queues have voted, counting will begin. The first results are expected after midnight,” Masuku said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

With the 2021 Local Government Elections having gotten off to a smooth and timely start at almost all voting stations, the period for voters to report to a voting station to cast their vote has officially ended.

Voting stations closed at 9pm on Monday but voters who were at voting stations or in a queue at 9pm would get an opportunity to cast their vote.

According to the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000, no person may be admitted to a voting station for the purpose of voting after the voting station has closed for voting.

The counting of votes at the country’s 23 148 voting stations normally takes place at the voting station where the votes are cast. Party agents, independent ward candidate agents and observers oversee the entire counting and results process, and are present at all times.

After voting stations close at 9pm and voters in the queues have voted, counting will begin. According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the first results are expected after midnight.

The vote counting process involves the following:

All ballot boxes allocated to a voting station are accounted for. Sealed ballot boxes are opened and emptied.

Each ballot paper is unfolded and checked for the Electoral Commission security stamp. Ballots without stamps are not counted.

All ballot papers are grouped according to colours representing the type of election (District, Local/Metro and Ward). The ballots are sorted into piles according to votes for each party and each ward candidate.

The ballots are counted and bundled into packs of 100. The results are counted for each party or candidate.

The results for the various parties or candidates are reconciled against the number of ballots received and the total number of ballots cast at that voting station.

Results slips are signed by the counting officer, independent ward candidate agents and party agents. A copy of the results slip is posted on the door of each voting station. The other copy is transported to the local Electoral Commission office where it is scanned and captured in the results system. The results are also verified by independent external auditors.

The results centres are there for political party representatives and independents to monitor the voting, counting and results process. Parties have the opportunity to raise objections to any alleged irregularities. Other stakeholders present include the media and observers.

The final results and seat allocation for Metro and Local Councils are announced by the Commission within seven days of the election. District Councils are formed later once the local councils have been constituted and have elected representatives to the District Council.

These are the sixth municipal election held in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Since 1994, domestic and international stakeholders have viewed all of South Africa’s elections as free and fair.

At an earlier briefing today, the IEC announced that over 8 million South Africans had cast their votes across the country’s 23 148 voting stations as at 5pm.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Newzroom Afrika journalist, Ziniko Mhlaba, has been released after being detained while covering the Local Government Elections in Orlando, Soweto, on Monday.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the incident has since been escalated to the Provincial Commissioner of Gauteng who ordered both the release of the journalist and an investigation into the matter.

“Police were forced to remove a television journalist and a cameraman from a polling station in Orlando East, Soweto, after they allegedly interfered with the work of the presiding officer at that station,” SAPS explained.

The police have since described the matter as an “unfortunate” situation that resulted in a “confrontation” between police and the journalist.

“Our reporter @zinikozini has been released after being unlawfully detained at a voting station this morning. As a business, we are taking this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” Newzroom Afrika Director, Thabile Ngwato, tweeted.

Amnesty International has since spoken out against the “harassment” of Mhlaba.

“We are concerned by the reported arrest of a Newzroom Afrika journalist at a voting station. Journalists must be allowed to report on the elections without intimidation or harassment.”

The global movement has since called on the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to investigate the incident.

“It was reported that citizens filming the incident were allegedly manhandled by the SAPS. This heavy handling and obstruction of journalists is a violation of their rights and it must cease immediately.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

MAHIKENG – The police in Setlagole request the community’s assistance in locating the next of kin, after the body of an unknown man, believed to be in his thirties, was found at Boskop Farm, close to Setlagole.

According to information received, the police were called by a local farmer after his shepherd discovered the naked decomposed body on Monday, 1 November 2021, at about 10:50.

Anyone with information that can assist in locating the next of kin can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Victor Isake of Setlagole Detectives on 0824163564 or phone Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via MySAPS App.

Furthermore a case of Inquest has been opened and is being investigated by the Stelagole police.

Source: South African Police Service