November 2, 2021
2 mins read

South Africa to go ahead with local polls

South Africa’s local government elections, the sixth since 1994, proceeded well despite protests in some communities…reports Asian Lite News

South Africa’s local government elections, the sixth since 1994, proceeded well despite protests in some communities with more than 3.5 million people casting their votes by 12:30 p.m., said Independent Electoral Commission Chair, Glen Mashinini.

“Voting is progressing well across the country. The Commission commends South Africans for coming out in their large numbers so early in the morning,” he said at a media briefing in Pretoria, noting the majority of the 23,148 voting stations opened on time, with some irregularities reported in dozens of polling stations.

South Africa to go ahead with local polls

He touched on some incidents that affected the start of voting, especially in Mdloti and Camperdown in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape. The 20 voting stations did not open on time in KZN due to community-related protests while 19 voting stations did not open due to community protests in the Eastern Cape.

“In all incidents, communities dug trenches to deny Commission staff and voters access to the voting stations,” he added.

Political analyst Ralph Mathekga believed that the elections were off to a good start, saying community protests “reflected the political system”.

“A good start might show that the campaigning worked or it could be anger against some

parties,” he told Xinhua.

Speaking about the protests which delayed the opening of voting, he said communities understood they would be listened to if extreme measures were taken, Xinhua news agency reported.

Several leaders from different political organizations voted earlier in their communities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa voted at Hitekani Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto, accompanied by first lady Tshepo Motsepe.

ALSO READ: East Africa economic growth to rise to 4.1% in 2021

“I’d like to suggest that municipal services are going to be done differently from now on,” he spoke to media after voting. Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of improved communication between communities and elected officials.

Former President Thabo Mbeki cast his ballot at Holy Family College in Johannesburg and hoped that other registered voters would also do the same.

“We all need our people to vote and express their views as to who they want to govern the municipalities,” he said.

Local government elections were expected to be highly competitive with several metropolises governed by coalitions.

Monday’s voting started at 7 a.m. and would continue until 9 p.m., local time.

Previous Story

Egypt Prez urges developed nations to fulfil annual $100bn pledge to face climate change

Next Story

Zimbabwean ruling party endorses Mnangagwa as presidential candidate for 2023 elections

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

Namibia voices concern over US tariffs

AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade arrangement aimed at supporting development in African countries through preferential access to US markets The Namibian government has expressed concern over newly imposed US tariffs, warning that

Uganda, South Sudanese leaders hold talks

Museveni, who is among the guarantors of a 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war, held closed-door discussions with President Salva Kiir Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was expected to meet

Africa CDC calls for self-reliance

Data from the African Union’s specialised healthcare agency show that the continent, over the past 24 months, has witnessed an “unprecedented surge in public health emergencies,” rising from 152 disease outbreaks in

HIV soars after deadly war in Tigray

Tigray was once considered a model in the fight against HIV. Years of awareness-raising efforts had brought the region’s HIV prevalence rate to 1.4%, one of the lowest in Ethiopia The Trump

Namibia voices concern over US tariffs

AGOA is a non-reciprocal trade arrangement aimed at supporting development in African countries through preferential access to US markets The Namibian government has expressed concern over newly imposed US tariffs, warning that
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Zimbabwean ruling party endorses Mnangagwa as presidential candidate for 2023 elections

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF)

UAE sends airlift to support Ethiopia

The UAE has always been one of the first countries