IEC ‘forgets’ about patients at Tembisa Hospital
Hospital spokesman, Lesibana Ledwaba, confirmed they had not received any communication from the IEC prior to elections as they usually do
WITH the election results tallied and final, patients and some staff at Tembisa Hospital could not share this historic moment with fellow South Africans.
According to a resident in Tembisa, the IEC did not organise for the patients and staff on duty to cast their votes on May 5 and 6, the days reserved for special votes.
“I went to visit my friend in Tembisa Hospital on May 6 and 7, only to find out that although most patients had registered for special votes, the IEC did not go to the hospital,” she said.
Hospital spokesman, Lesibana Ledwaba, confirmed they had not received any communication from the IEC prior to elections as they usually do.
“It was strange that we did not receive a call from the IEC. They usually come to the hospital to offer voter education prior to the elections and when the election day is closer, they organise for staff and patients to vote during the special vote days,” he added.
Despite promising to respond to Express’ various media queries, the IEC has not sent a response to clarify the matter.
“What is unfortunate is that our patients were not able to cast their votes on the most important elections we had as a country. Our staff members could at least try and make it to their voting stations after their 12-hour shifts but this wasn’t so for the patients,” said Ledwaba.
The results were finalised on Friday with the ANC retaining a majority of more than 60 per cent nationally as well as in most provinces, although they will have 15 seats less in Parliament.
The only province where the party did not attract many votes was the Western Cape where the ANC managed to attract 34 per cent of the votes, while the DA secured over 50 per cent.
New party on the ballot, the EFF, managed to secure over ten per cent of the national votes, overshadowing COPE and Agang that managed only 0.67 per cent and 0.28 per cent respectively.
The ruling party has gained 249 seats in the National Assembly which is 15 less seats than 2009, with the DA following with 22 more seats at 89 and the EFF gaining 25 seats.
COPE secured three seats and Agang two.
