Elections 2019: Vryheider’s share snags and highlights, praise and criticism, hopes and dreams

Vryheid voters commended IEC staff for the friendly, efficient manner in which they managed large volumes of people who arrived to make their mark.

May 9, 2019

Estella Naicker 3 minutes read

AbaQulusi mayor, Cllr Jerry Sibiya, made his mark at a Mondlo voting station.

The national elections concluded with very few snags being reported at voting stations in Vryheid.

Voters commended IEC staff for the friendly, efficient manner in which they managed large volumes of people who arrived to make their mark.

“The IEC officials were well prepared. Voting, for me, was a very pleasant experience because the staff were well organised. I waited in the queue for less than a minute, despite voting at one of the busier voting stations. I am hoping the outcome of this election will mean good things for our country,” said Dianne Johnson, who made her mark at the Vryheid library.

Dianne Johnson made her mark at the Vryheid library.

“The IEC officials at all of the voting stations I visited were pleasant and helpful. They really know what they are doing, so I am confident of a free and fair election,” said Cllr Johannes Jones, after making his mark.

Cllr Johannes Jones is confident of a free and fair election.

Vryheid police officers appointed to the Joint Operation Committee (JOC) put in place for the elections, made contact with each and every voting station in half hour intervals to ensure that any incidents were dealt with promptly.

The SAPS JOC team, admin clerk, Zanele Ndaba, Constable PM Nkosi, admin clerk, Cynthia Masuku, and Constable Zanele Hlophe, were tasked with monitoring every voting station in Vryheid.

Municipal electoral officer, PJ Ndlovu reported that only one Vryheid voting station opened late. Hlahlindlela voting station, situated between Mondlo and Nquthu, opened 20 minutes late when the area manager decided to begin setting up at a voting station a litter further away, before attending to Hlahlindlela.

“All of the voting stations were properly equipped and had sufficient ballot paper for the entire day,” added Mr Ndlovu.

More than 50 inmates made their mark at Vryheid’s Correctional Services. IEC officials were not equipped with an ID scanner when they arrived at the facility yesterday morning, but this was quickly rectified.

ALSO READ: Vryheid Voter Fears Ballot Paper Was Tampered With, Demands Re-Vote

A venue which previously hosted a voting station in Section D (adjacent to the Vryheid dumpsite), was not used during yesterday’s election, and voters from this area were directed to Cecil Emmett instead.

A venue in Kambula was similarly done away with, and voters from this from this voting station were directed to Kaleni School.

For the first time, the library in Vryheid’s CBD served as a voting centre, instead of a voting station, during a national election. This voting centre incorporated the Vryheid public swimming pool, which opened up as an additional voting station to assist with the high volume of voters at the library. Voters experienced issues with the ID scanner at this venue as well, but this was also rectified later in the day.

IEC presiding officer, Ms Shabalala, said voters had arrived in numbers, with the average waiting time in the queue being 10 to 15 minutes. She described the 2019 national elections as a wonderful experience and said people who didn’t vote had no right to complain, but adds that the government also has a role to play in ensuring that their effort post-elections demonstrates to citizens that their votes did make a difference. In the video below she describes her hopes for the future of South Africa.

Among the voters who made their mark at the Vryheid library, was AbaQulusi’s municipal manager, Bonga Ntanzi, who said he and his wife were excited to exercise their democratic right to vote for change, hope and development.

Mayor of AbaQulusi, Jerry Sibiya, made his mark in Mondlo after visiting a number of voting stations in the area. He happily reported that it was smooth sailing at all of the voting stations he visited.

“With my vote, I, too, have played a role in sustaining our democracy and making it work. What I hope to achieve, is to make sure that we get the right leaders in place, leaders who care about the public and are looking forward to making a change in terms of service delivery, rather than leaders who are only looking out for themselves,” said Cllr Sibiya.

“I hope that all the political parties that are contesting, are going to put forward the right candidates for the work and make sure that everybody, who has a seat in government, is trustworthy, honest, and appreciative of the fact that they are ambassadors for the community.”

Elizabeth Mahlaba hopes the ruling party will bring an end to homelessness and ensure that every household’s basic electricity and water needs are met.