The IEC in Mpumalanga has quarantined ballot boxes from two Matsulu voting stations following claims of tampering. These are ballot boxes from the 2026 Local Government Elections from Enzani and Matsulu primary schools.

Voters cast their ballots yesterday, while special votes took place on Monday and Tuesday.

Rain damages special-vote ballot boxes

Today, November 5, Mpumalanga IEC spokesperson Thanduxolo Chembeni said a decision is still going to be made on whether those particular ballots will be counted. He said the ballots are from those who voted on Tuesday during special votes. Chembeni explained that a bakkie had been used to transport the ballots and the boxes got wet due to rain. Due to the weight of the wet ballots, the boxes were damaged and appeared to have been opened, although that was not the case.

National commissioners to decide on ballots

He said some agents requested that reconciliation be done, but an agreement could not be reached.

Chembeni said it was agreed that the ballot boxes for the voting stations would be quarantined until a decision is made.

“Since a decision could not be made locally, the matter is now in the hands of the commissioners at the national offices, who are currently dealing with all the objections made. They will make the final decision,” he said.

Chembeni added that the ballots from Monday and Wednesday are not affected.