Elections update: Ramaphosa and other political leaders make their marks

Here is your latest update on everything you need to know about the elections.

May 29, 2024
Caxton Reporter 5 minutes read
Image: Caxton Local Media/@GovernmentZA/X.

Several political leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have joined queues to cast their votes in the general elections today.

Ramaphosa and his wife, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, were at Hitekani Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto, to vote.

John Steenhuisen, leader of the DA, cast his vote at Northwood School in Durban, KZN.

“This is a critical election for South Africa and tomorrow can be a better country but only if we vote for it,” Steenhuisen wrote on X.

Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA, voted at the Sandton Fire Station, Johannesburg. His wife, Connie, voted at St David’s Marist, Inanda, also in Johannesburg.

Build One South Africa’s Mmusi Maimane, voting at a church in Soweto, wrote on X: “Today is the most important day in our democracy!”

Keep an eye out for fake news

Unfortunately, fake news has been doing the rounds on social media.

A video of a man placing multiple envelopes, presumed to contain ballot papers, into a ballot box has been doing the rounds on social media, leaving some users concerned.

However, the IEC has assured citizens that all was above board. “This video depicts the process of special voting, whereby envelopes from ballots cast by home visit are moved from the home visit bag by election officials into the ballot box of the voting station for counting at 21:00 on Election Day, May 29, together with all other ballots.

“Party agents may observe and record the proceedings to ensure transparency, which explains the origin of this video.”

Additionally, the IEC said on X a short while ago that it is ‘aware of the video being circulated showing discarded election materials in Modimolle in Mokopong, Limpopo’. “Election officials disposed of the used ballot boxes and other election materials after setting up the station for special votes. There were no ballots in the ballot boxes,” it said.

The IEC has also assured voters that you can cast your vote even if your nails are manicured or if you have false nails.

“Indelible ink is applied to the bed of your left thumbnail, ensuring your vote is counted, no matter your nail style. Let’s debunk this myth and ensure every vote counts. Share and spread the truth!”

Eskom said it noted fake news trending on social media regarding load-shedding returning tomorrow.

“Load-shedding has been suspended for 62 consecutive days and continues to be suspended. Our generation availability continues to perform well as a result of the Generation Recovery Plan that commenced in March 2023, as well as our intensive planned maintenance,” Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said.

According to Mokwena, Eskom will provide regular updates and the next update will be on Friday.

Africa Check reported that there is no evidence supporting viral claims that ‘mystery’ ballot papers have been found already marked with votes for the ruling ANC.

Many social media posts shared days before the election, particularly by people who appear to be supporters of the recently formed uMkhonto weSizwe or MK Party, claim to show ballot papers that have already been filled out.

The IEC has rubbished the claims and said that it is considering taking action against the MK Party and its members, who it says entered an IEC warehouse without authorisation.

Issues at voting stations, other incidents

Issues were reported at several voting stations across the country. Lowvelder reported that scanners used at several voting stations had connection issues, which have since been resolved.

In the Eastern Cape, six people were arrested in Mavundleni on charges of contravening the Electoral Act.

In a statement, the office of the provincial commissioner in the Eastern Cape said that on Sunday, a tent used as a voting station was destroyed, allegedly by people complaining about service delivery. Despite a case being opened, police say that the same group threatened IEC officials and on Tuesday, blocked roads and burnt tyres to prevent movement in the area. Arrests have been made and the suspects are due to appear in court on Friday.

The Citizen reported that taxi protests in the Eastern Cape also led to the closure of some voting stations.

Two people were also arrested yesterday for allegedly tampering with ballot boxes at two voting stations, in the Steve Tshwete and Chief Albert Luthuli municipalities in Mpumalanga.

The Witness reported that two KZN police officers were relieved of their election duties after a video went viral, showing one of them wearing the regalia of a political party.

South Africans cast their votes

Before 07:00, citizens across the country started queuing at their respective voting stations. Bedfordview Edenvale News reported that the Edenvale Community Centre station opened at 06:45, with four residents eagerly waiting to vote at that time.

Social media is abuzz with people proudly sharing images of their thumbs and waiting in queues to vote.

Have a look at what is going on, on social media:

The Witness reported that about 1 300 inmates are expected to cast their votes at Westville Correctional Services.

First-time voter Monwabisi Jili, who is serving a 17-year sentence, said he is using his vote to make a change for himself and his family.

“I am 30 this year, and I have never voted before. This year feels different for me, and I feel like I can make a difference in my country. I have also heard about the challenges my community is experiencing,” he said.

Read original story on www.citizen.co.za

At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!
May 29, 2024
Caxton Reporter 5 minutes read

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Andrea van Wyk

Caxton’s Digital Editorial Manager. I am a journalist and editor with experience spanning over a decade having worked for major local and national news publications across the country and as a correspondent in the Netherlands. I write about most topics with a special interest in politics, crime, human interest and conservation.
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