The voting is over and counting has begun, and concluded in some wards.
In some of Steve Tshwete’s 29 wards, counting has finished, with early morning rumours having it that the SACP has won its first seat in Ward 17 (Newtown).

The DA’s Morgan Bruiners also won Ward 8 (Nasaret) for the first time, while fellow DA councillor Anphia Grobler retained her ward council status as the representative for Doornkop.
The results will not be officially released until all counting is done.

The EFF has raised concerns over the counting and certification of votes at three Steve Tshwete voting stations, which are currently under national scrutiny.
In Middelburg, special voting on Monday and Tuesday also fell behind, with the IEC deploying more electoral staff following complaints.

In one instance, the DA’s mayoral candidate, Bosman Grobler, had to fetch an elderly couple from Hendrina to vote in Gholfsig.
The couple, Sias and Regina Steyn, recently moved into an old age home in Hendrina. However, both were unaware that they were not registered in Hendrina.

Nevertheless, they refused to have their votes cancelled and reached out to people in Middelburg to assist them with transport.
Grobler, whose mother Anphia won Doornkop, heeded the call. He went to fetch the Steyns, who voted without issue once they arrived.

In Aerorand, 100-year-old Hennie Janse van Rensburg also voted after being transported from Roossenekal.
Janse van Rensburg, who was born in August 1926, voted without problem. Like the Steyns, Janse van Rensburg demanded his right to vote. Residents who experienced problems during the elections can email detailed complaints to gerhard@mobserver.co.za.

• The available results have not been officially verified by the IEC.