LIMPOPO – Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has described the 2026 Local Government Elections as the most peaceful the province has ever experienced after casting her vote in Mokopane on Wednesday.

Ramathuba voted at Mokopane Primary School in Ward 31 of the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in the Waterberg District, one of 708 voting stations in the district. The municipality has 163 179 registered voters.

Peaceful elections praised

Speaking to the media after voting, Ramathuba said the peaceful atmosphere suggested that residents had matured in their democracy and were choosing to vote rather than participate in actions that could disrupt the election.

“The people now understand democracy has matured to an extent that they know they need to go and vote.

“If you don’t go and vote and say you want water, you won’t vote because there is no water. Voting Day is today. Tomorrow I will still be here as Premier and I still have to meet with you and resolve the issue of water,” she said.

Service delivery should not stop voting

She urged residents not to stop elections because there is no water, saying service delivery issues such as water, roads, unemployment and electricity must be raised, but disrupting elections would undermine the very Constitution people died for.

Ramathuba was accompanied by Limpopo IEC chief electoral officer Nkaro Mateta and members of her provincial government entourage. Earlier in the day, she visited Mitchell House College in Polokwane before heading to Mokopane.

Voting proceeds without incidents

The IEC said no incidents had been reported in the area despite overnight rain in Mokopane, and that voting stations opened on time at 07:00.

Ramathuba also confirmed that she is a resident and ratepayer in Mokopane, while Polokwane is where she works. She declined to disclose her residential address for security reasons.