ELECTIONS LIVE UPDATES | Voting stations officially closed across SA

01 November 2021 - 05:30

By TimesLIVE

November 01 2021 - 23:17

IEC admits low turnout, but says it's too early to tell just how bad it is

As many South Africans fret over the seemingly dismal 2021 local government election turnout, the IEC said on Monday night that it was too early to tell just how good or bad the turnout was.

“I think it is the role of the media to continue to analyse, speculate and to project but from where we are sitting, we would like to remain as scientific as possible. So it might be at an early stage for the commission to make opinion, views and analysis,” said IEC chair Glen Mashinini at the national results centre in Pretoria on Monday night.

Mashinini was responding to questions from the journalists on what some of the data collated showed with regards to the voter turnout. He responded by saying that the commission was still collecting the information.

November 01 2021 - 23:14

Mabuza votes in Mpumalanga ward for ANC candidate on two murder charges

It was fairly quiet at Ajuri Farm when deputy president David Mabuza’s motorcade descended upon the voting station in his hometown of Barberton in Mpumalanga.

It was just before midday and the station in Ward 45 had served only a few people — the presiding officer said they were expecting around 100 people by the end of the day.

Mabuza was in and out within a few minutes, and was all smiles when he declared his undying love for the ANC when asked which party he voted for.

November 01 2021 - 22:10

IEC apologises to Change Party for error in PR ballot papers

The IEC has apologised to the Change Party for an error on the proportional representation (PR) ballot papers in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.

According to reports, the party’s president Lesiba Molokomme raised the matter with the commission after it was discovered that the party’s name had been replaced with that of another party on the PR ballot papers in both metros.

“The commission offers its sincere apologies to the leadership, supporters and voters of Change Party for this error on the ballot,” said the IEC’s commissioner, Mosotho Moepya.

November 01 2021 - 21:18

Voting stations officially closed across SA

Voting stations have officially closed across SA.

Stations were open until 9pm, although the IEC confirmed on Monday night that those who were in the line at their voting station at the closing time would still be allowed to vote.

There was also the potential that - on a "case-by-case basis", the IEC said - some voting stations would be allowed to stay open later, depending on the circumstances. This included protests or other glitches earlier in the day affecting smooth running of the stations.

November 01 2021 - 20:47

Opposition parties want urgent suspension of Monday’s curfew

Opposition parties are pressing for a waiver of the national lockdown curfew of midnight on Monday, November 1. This as the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) and political parties hash out extending the closure of voting after issues with the voters’ roll.

Siviwe Gwarube, the DA’s spokesperson, said the curfew was “an imposition that should be waived tonight considering the fact that the voting stations close at 9pm and there have been widely reported delays with the IEC.”

“South Africans should not suffer because there have been incompetencies of both the government and the IEC,” said EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys.

For the full story, visit BusinessLIVE.

November 01 2021 - 18:56

LISTEN | Helen Zille opens assault case after clash with police at EC voting station

Police watchdog Ipid is investigating a case of assault against an Eastern Cape police officer who is accused of dragging DA federal council chair Helen Zille out of the Fernwood Park Primary School voting station in Bethelsdorp on Monday.

An internal police report indicated that Zille had opened a case of assault against the police after the incident.

“According to Zille, due to the long queue, she walked down the line asking people to wait,” the report read.

She further stated that when she got to the front of the queue, the ANC observers accused her of canvassing.

November 01 2021 - 16:52

KZN communities dig trenches, lock gates and vandalise a station to stop elections

Road closures, locked gates, trenches and a voting station break-in were some of the incidents that hampered the electoral process in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.

IEC KZN said in a statement on Monday that two voting stations didn’t open in Umzinto on the KZN south coast on Monday because the community dug trenches to prevent access.

“One was opened today and this morning the process of moving from the second original voting station to an alternative venue got under way,” the IEC said.

November 01 2021 - 16:32

WATCH | Politicians? They’re hapless and hopeless, homeless Capetonians conclude

Most of Cape Town's homeless population — estimated at between 4,000 and 14,000 people — will not vote.

Many are on the streets because they were pushed out of their communities for being “troublemakers”. Others are simply down and out, and Cape Town is the place where they hoped their luck would finally change.

Nonhlanhla Mncube, 45, who lives in a tiny tarpaulin shack in Sea Point, is one of the thousands of homeless people who do not plan to vote on Monday.

November 01 2021 - 16:30

'I wish he was here': Mabopane residents vote in the shadow of murdered councillor Tshepo Motaung

In Mabopane, the hometown of slain ward 22 councillor Tshepo Motaung, resident Monika Mokome, 81, said all she wanted was a house.

“I voted for ANC, I will die in ANC. They haven’t done everything that we want but the Lord will help us and they will do that. All I want is a house. I don’t have a house; I live in a shack. They must build the elderly houses,” she said.

In September, ANC councillor Motaung was shot at least 20 times by unknown hitmen in what was believed to be a politically motivated killing.

November 01 2021 - 16:27

Parties promise to fix infrastructure as water bubbles away under their feet

As politicians continued to push the message that all Johannesburg’s voters want is infrastructure that works, none of the three parties contesting one city ward knew anything about a damaged pipe a few blocks from the polling station from which precious water has been flowing for more than a week.

Water from the pipe, which feeds residents and businesses in the leafy suburbs of Parkhurst and Parktown North, has been bubbling up through the road surface since Monday last week when it was first spotted by a TimesLIVE reporter.

DA activist Keith Bone, who was representing the party at the polling station at Parkhurst Primary School on Monday, said he was unaware of the leak.

November 01 2021 - 15:31

Thembisa turnout 'worst ever'

Deep distrust, apathy, wariness and weariness — the mood in Thembisa, Ekhuruleni, on election day is palpable.

IEC officials and the police told TimesLIVE that they had never experienced such empty polling stations on election day. Voter apathy — or, as some described, a sense of anger with the current state of affairs compounded by an overwhelming sense of hopelessness — led to very quiet polling stations across the area.

At the polling station at Ingqayizivele Secondary School, situated in the heart of Thembisa, political party representatives stood outside the premises chatting to each other, with no voters in sight.

November 01 2021 - 15:08

Smaller parties will 'eat DA's lunch' in Cape Town, says UIM leader

United Independent Movement (UIM) leader Neil de Beer believes the DA will lose its majority in Cape Town.

De Beer said on Monday it was unhealthy for one party to have an overwhelming majority in any council. He is a former member of the ANC. De Beer defected from the apartheid security police to become an ANC operative in the 1980s. UIM is one of the new political parties contesting the 2021 municipal elections.

“The energy at the polling stations is like 1994, I am standing in Mitchells Plain right now,” he said.

November 1 — 14:58

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe 'elated' after voting

“Voting is a civic duty and all of us should cast our vote, particularly when it comes to local government. It's a hybrid system, you vote for your ward and you vote for PR. So all South Africans really should be exercising this right,” former president Kgalema Motlanthe said after casting his vote in Killarney, Johannesburg.

“There is no reason, really, not to exercise this right, because if for whatever reason you may be disaffected or unhappy with the outgoing councillors, you have a right to choose the one you believe will give you proper services.”

November 1 — 14:36

Election day off to a good start but not without a few hiccups

In an update provided by the IEC on Monday afternoon, the electoral body said the elections had got off to a positive start with more than 99% of the 23,148 voting stations opened on time to kickstart voting in the 2021 municipal elections.

However, the IEC outlined several problem it is looking into, including cases of community protests preventing the opening of voting stations, a presiding officer in the eThekwini metro allegedly stuffing marked ballots into a ballot box, a hailstorm delaying the opening of some voting stations and more.

November 1 — 14:32

Lichtenburg voters sing ANC praises in disastrous Ditsobotla

Many Boikutso residents still use bucket toilets and its streets are lined with piles of uncollected rubbish mixed with sewage. While standing in the queue to vote, residents were in high spirits and said they were looking forward to casting their votes and seeing the ANC retain power in the municipality.

“I’ll never vote for any other party. It’s ANC all the way. The ANC has built a house for me. I receive the R350 grant, my children are receiving social grants. Why would I not vote for the ANC? I’m voting for the biggest party in the country,” said Khido Tlhabe, 55.

November 1 — 14:19

Magashule’s absence no factor in Mangaung voter attitude as many stay away due to poor services

“I have voted all my life, but not now. I am tired of all the stealing of public money while we suffer.”

This was the view of 85-year-old Granny Selebano from Bochabela township outside Bloemfontein, Free State, where many were going about their personal business on Monday morning and were not interested in the local government elections. Selebano has lived in Mochochoko Street for five decades.

November 1 — 13:55

Rain delays opening of 19 voting stations in Western Cape

Inclement weather in Cape Town delayed the opening of more than a dozen voting stations.

(IEC Western Cape head Michael Hendrickse said 19 of the province’s 1,577 voting stations did not open on time due to rain in the city. The commission first had to ensure the safety of temporary structures used as voting stations, he said.

“The one impact we have experienced is the weather, and the rain is especially affecting our operations in tents,” said Hendrickse.

November 1 — 13:41

‘I don’t know who I must choose’: voting in Ekurhuleni off to slow start

Voting stations in Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni experienced a slow start on Monday morning, with fewer voters queuing to cast their ballots, including in ward 51, where executive mayor Mzwandile Masina was expected to vote.

Thato Mabala, from Nhlapo section, said some residents did not have the energy to vote: “I did register but I don’t see myself voting because I don’t know who I must choose. Many people don’t see the point of voting because none of the things we have been promised here have been fulfilled.”

November 1 — 13:25

People have a right to complain and raise issues: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says aggrieved South Africans who feel let down by the government have every right to complain.

“The provision of services in municipalities is really difficult and complex and our people have reason to complain and they also have reason to raise issues. And through the vote, they are expressing themselves — either in the form of support for what they believe will be done, or in a form of protest for what they believe has not been done,” he said.

November 1 — 13:11

eThekwini presiding officer arrested for alleged vote rigging

The IEC has confirmed that a presiding officer in the eThekwini metro was arrested after allegedly stuffing marked ballots into a ballot box on Monday.

In a statement, the commission said: “The matter is now in the hands of the South African police. This incident, which did not affect voting, is a testament to the inbuilt safeguards in the voting process that also include an active role for party and independent candidate agents.”

November 1 — 13:08

eThekwini could do with a good dose of DA government: Steenhuisen

“I think we had a good campaign in eThekwini and our message that we get things done resonated. A lot of municipalities in this province are in deep trouble, like they are around the country. I think people are looking for some hope and chance,” says the DA leader.

“They want service delivery — ways to keep the lights on, water in the taps and keep communities safe. They want a government on their side and not spending money on politicians.”

November 1 — 12:58

Classroom torched at KZN voting station over chief dispute

Police have been deployed to closely monitor the situation at the Ntobeko voting station in ward 2 of the Mkhambathini municipality in KwaZulu-Natal after a classroom was set alight on Monday morning.

IEC Umgungundlovu district manager Khulekani Mdadane said they received word at about 6am that a classroom at the Ntobeko voting station had been set alight.

“The classroom, which had been storing materials such as stationery, was burnt down. We do not understand why they would do this,” he said.

November 1 — 12:47

Hot contestation between ANC and EFF in Seshego

Yellow T-shirts filled one side of the road while red T-shirts filled the other at Seshego, Limpopo, as the ANC and EFF battled for the hearts of voters on Monday.

Itumeleng Swartland, who lives with a disability and is in a wheelchair, arrived at Mpongele Primary School accompanied by his young son to cast his vote in the local government elections. He bemoaned the lack of facilities for people with disabilities.

“I’m happy to be here voting and I am hoping the candidate I will vote for will take care of my needs and consider people like me when it comes to planning and executing things for people like me in this area,” said Swartland.

“We’ve suffered a lot under those currently in power. They’ve lied to us a lot.”

November 1 — 12:41

Camps Bay voters say economy is in toilet while Philippi residents would love a toilet

Nettleton Road was quiet early on Monday, with a few Ferraris and other luxury vehicles parked outside homes fitted with countless cameras trained on the road. The homes have sweeping sea views.

Half an hour’s drive from Camps Bay is Sweet Farm, an informal settlement in Philippi, where Thulani Jabe, 35, cast his vote at a crèche surrounded by refuse and shacks.

The municipal elections have revealed how dissimilar the needs of Capetonians are.

November 1 — 12:33

KwaBhaca resident, 119, makes her mark and wants you to do the same

Casting her vote at her Mandleni village home in Qwidlela, about 40km outside KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 119-year-old Nomamelika Emily Philiso said she had prayed for this day.

“God answered my prayer. I am still alive and casting my vote, something I have been doing since 1994 and I am very happy. My daughter and I woke up as early as 4am on Saturday. We made a fire and bath and waited for the Electoral Commission officials to arrive. I could not wait to cast my vote,” she told the Dispatch.

November 1 — 11:30

Hammanskraal residents say they’re voting for clean water

As residents of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, cast their votes on Monday morning, dirty brown water was coming out of their taps. This has been the story of their lives since 2015 and many of them say it’s for this reason that they decided to cast their votes.

Agnes Marothodi, 52, was among the first in line at Makgetse High School in Temba, Hammanskraal.

“I’m voting for clean water, I’m here today and the water flowing from my tap is still not drinkable,” she said.

November 1 — 11:27

'The situation in the ANC is going to improve': Mabuza casts his vote

"I voted the ANC, I will die in the ANC," Deputy President David Mabuza said after casting his vote in Barberton, Mpumalanga, on Monday. He voted at Ajuri Farm, down the road from his home. He had been voting in this station for years.

"I voted the ANC. It's my blood. No matter the difficulties I'm prepared to die within this movement," Mabuza said.

According to Mabuza the ability to exercise the right to vote was an achievement that must not be taken for granted. "It's always nice to vote given the process where we come from. It's a good feeling to vote, it's an achievement the country has made. Our democracy is maturing and it feels good to be in a democratic environment," he said.

Mabuza's hometown, especially the town of of Barberton, has been gripped by political infighting. He said he believes the issues in the area will soon be resolved.

"The situation in the ANC is going to improve, all the disputes that were there before as we were campaigning for this day, I think we have explained to the voters that we are going to deal with all these disputes immediately." — Kgothatso Madisa

November 1 — 10:47

MaKhumalo 'arrived alone this time'

Sizakele 'maKhumalo' Zuma, the first wife of former president Jacob Zuma, voted on Tuesday at her village of KwaNxamalala. She called on government to intervene in the community by providing the area with tractors.

"The village needs tractors for agricultural projects to sustain themselves," said Makhumalo, who used to run a garden at her homestead where she planted vegetables to share with the community but said she had retired from it.

November 1 — 10:23

Metro police form perimeter around Mamelodi East voting station

Tensions are high at Mamelodi East, where non-registered voters are trying to force their way into a voting station in ward 93. Tshwane metro police are forming a perimeter around the voting station to protect IEC officials and voters. Scores of people, who claim they have not been allowed to register, are trying to get into the voting station, which is situated at Life Giving Ministries. Terrified registered voters who are inside the voting station can be seen in queues as they wait to case their votes.

Thabo Lekalala, who is casting his vote, said he was worried by the violence that was happening outside the voting station. “I wont allow these thugs to stop my vote. They must go vote where they are registered to vote. I am registered here. If people can register here then let them register to vote here. The metro police must take control of the situation and make sure everyone who can vote here votes here." — Graeme Hosken

November 1 — 10:13

DA leader John Steenhuisen casts his vote

DA federal leader John Steenhuisen was accompanied by a cheerleading duo of his daughters, who were sporting DA T-shirts when they arrived at Northwood Boys' High School in Durban North promptly at 9am. The girls, Ashleigh and Caroline, who are too young to vote, waited patiently for their dad while he went into the polling booth. Afterwards they posed for a few pictures with him — but not before they donned sweaters over their T-shirts.

November 1 — 10:06

Queues grow in Thembisa — but not to vote

At Busy Corner in Thembisa, the bustling hub between Ivory Park and Ebony Park informal settlements, a long queue had formed by 10am. However, those waiting in line were not voters but rather people wanting to use an ATM. Asked if they had or were intending to vote, the general consensus was that voting was a waste of time.

"We don't have jobs. We have nothing. There is no point to vote," said one man, who declined to give his name. When told there were no queues at the nearby polling stations and therefore casting a ballot would not take long, the people merely shrugged off the information. They appeared unfazed and solidly determined in their stance that "voting just means nothing".

Nearby the Imbizo Shisanyama, a no-under 21s pub and braai venue, began opening up and starting fires and hauling out chairs and tables, so the sombre mood shifted slightly. Eyes lifted from cellphones as the smell of grilling meat permeated the air and the clinking of bottles could be heard as the local entertainment venue prepared for the day. And the ATM queue grew longer. — Gill Gifford

Cynthia Williams, 62, from Randburg in Johannesburg, will not be voting today because she feels it won't make a difference.

"There are more and more homeless people. How many matriculants don't have a job? But when it comes to voting time, the parties are out in full force.

"At my age I'll probably not find another job," she said speaking of her retrenchment during lockdown.

"All over SA, people are hungry. They haven't got the means of giving children what they have a right to: education, clothing and food. Where do they think crime comes from?

"My faith is in God, not these men who make empty promises." — Alex Patrick

November 1 — 09:36

Jacob Zuma to be guarded by military veterans when he casts his vote

A group of 12 military veterans are standing guard at Ntolwane Primary School, where former president Jacob Zuma is expected to vote this morning. When approached by TimesLIVE, the men said they were at the voting station to cast their vote. However, they had been sitting since the voting station opened at 7am, according to IEC.

"They are just sitting outside not bothering anyone. We didn't ask why they are here because we know them — they have been living at Baba's house for a while now," an IEC staff member said.

Meanwhile, voting proceeded smoothly in the village of KwaNxamalala as villagers made their way inside the block where the IEC is situated. Most of them elderly, they said they will be voting for the IFP out of loyalty. Most said they hoped for change that would bring RDP houses, tarred roads, assistance with agricultural material so that they can farm and shops nearby. The community shops at Eshowe, 35km away.

While the village that the former president calls home falls under a ward governed by the ANC, the Nkandla municipality where it is demarcated to has been IFP-governed since the dawn of democracy. — Zimasa Matiwane

November 1 — 09:26

'I changed because the party I usually vote for doesn't do anything for me'

Residents of Motsoaledi informal settlement, near Power Park in Soweto, formed a steady trickle to cast their votes at a voting station on Monday. The residents of that settlement do not have electricity but said promises had been made to supply the area years ago.

By 8.30am, only 15 people had cast their votes. Among those who cast their vote was Phineas Malesa, who arrives here at 6am. "I vote because I usually vote. There is no point of complaining because there is no change," he said.

Another voter, Sizakele Mkhosana, who has been voting since 1994, said: "I voted well. I changed because the party I usually vote for doesn't do anything for me. They didn't give us houses. We have been staying in shacks for 27 years ... There are no schools around here. Our children have to travel long distances to go to schools. We also need jobs. I got here at around 6am. I was the 10th person in the queue."

A first-time voter, Noluthando Ndlovu, 19, arrived at the station around 7.30am. "The queue was long. I am voting because I need change. We need a councillor who will have our interests at heart, who will not only think of enriching himself. We need electricity, roads, playgrounds for the kids and proper street lights. We need patrollers because there is a high rate of crime," she said. — Ernest Mabuza

November 1 — 09:20

'Things are working fine in this area': Limpopo woman, 67

Mosima Moepa, 76, who walks using a walking, stick arrived at the Mothiba Primary School at the Ga-Mothiba village in Polokwane at the back of a van. A green mattress had been laid at the back for her sit comfortably. The driver of the van parked metres from the door of the voting station, placed a crate at the foot of the van and helped Moepa out along with Maria Mothiba, 67, who hails from the royal homestead.

The two elderly woman were helped inside, assisted some by officials and headed to the voting booths. A few seconds later, Moepa asked for help and two party officials stood close by as the voting process was explained to her by an IEC official. She then turned her back and started casting her vote. Speaking to TimesLIVE afterwards, Moepa said she was happy with how the voting process had happened. "It was OK, I'm happy," she said.

Mothiba agreed. "I'm happy with things here and I've voted who I was voting for before. Things are working fine in this area," she said.

A few metres away from her, children walked past the voting station, pushing wheelbarrows of water. Voting stations had been empty, with a few people trickling in ever so often. A few walked around the village in ANC T-shirts, while others were red EFF berets. Posters, mostly of the ACDP, were plastered on the poles leading to the Mothiba Primary where many were to vote. The ANC is currently in leadership in the area. – Naledi Shange

November 1 — 09:12

'I'm a graduate in business management and I still can't get a job'

In Umlazi, south of Durban, voting got off to a staggered start as some of the youth in the area had yet to take to the polls by 9am. Angered by the high levels of unemployment in their area of J Section, as well as a lack of service delivery, graduates Talent Gaxa, 27, and Jabulo Khanyile, 25, said they were still deciding whether they would vote. Music reverberates through the street, where the pair huddle in a circle with their friends smoking marajuana.

"It's hard. We've been trying. I'm a graduate in business management and I still can't get a job. These days you get work by your connections, who you know. All we can do is chill and try to hustle. We're not into politics," said Khanyile.

Gaxa emphasised the lack of basic services in the area: "Water is a big issue, we have water cuts every day. There's no water tankers and some days the water goes off and won't come on for more than 24 hours."

They expressed their views a stone's throw from the voting station at Zwelibanzi High School, where voters slowly trickled in. "It's been a quiet morning. I'm expecting more people to come through as the day progresses," said an IEC official. — Orrin Singh

November 1 — 09:06

A sea of blue at Northwood Boys' High in Durban

 There is a festive atmosphere and a sea of blue near the Northwood Boys' High School in Durban North, where DA federal leader John Steenhuisen is expected to join voters. This station is also his former school.

Theresa Hill from Durban North said it was her "duty to come and make her mark. We have women who paid a high price during the struggle."

"One of the pressing issues is potholes," she said, adding that her experience has so far been good. "It's very pleasant. Everything is going well. We have a lots of shade." — Mfundo Mkhize

While reluctant to divulge the party she chose to vote for, Lediga said she believed most older people would be voting ANC while young people were mostly in support of the EFF: "The older people can see that the ANC is trying. We are getting our medication, but there are no jobs and the party got corrupted by Zuma.

"The youth see the EFF as a chance for change, but the worry is that if they get power then all the international companies that are invested here will pull out."

Lediga is a cleaning agent contracted by a large company. "They pay me peanuts, but I have a job so I am surviving." She says many in Thembisa have lost their jobs in lockdown and during the looting in July. "People are not satisfied. They don't trust the government."

It seems few are like her, and most do not view voting as their civic duty. It appears the voices of Thembisa are silent. — Gill Gifford

November 1 — 8:32

'Disputed ballots must be quarantined': IEC on ANC dispute at DUT

Early morning voting at the Durban University of Technology polling station was delayed after the ANC lodged a dispute about voter addresses. There was a strong police presence at the Ritson campus, where a few voters queued to cast their votes.

Independent Electoral Commission officer Sibusiso Mkhwanazi told TimesLIVE the ANC had lodged a dispute: "They are claiming certain addresses are not residential addresses and those people should not be allowed to vote here. As the IEC we are saying if that is the case, we have to follow the procedure. If there is a dispute of the address, we must allow the process to take place.

"All those disputed ballots must be put into pink envelopes and quarantined then the IEC will take a decision. It's a clear and clean procedure. We are starting now, people are coming to vote, unless they stop the process. But there are police here to deal with, I'm not going to deal with that."

Police on site confirmed they were monitoring the situation. — Suthentira Govender

Awie Erasmus said: “One of the main reasons I am voting today is the fact that service delivery has been an absolute mess in the city and we need to see absolute change. Secondly I think that funds are not being used appropriately and we need to sort that out as soon as possible ... I am absolutely 100% sure that my vote counts today and I am going to make it count and see my party do well this elections.”

Tobie Erasmus from Kleinfontein said he believed that the Freedom Front Plus is the party to take the country forward: “I am voting today because it’s the right thing to do. The state of the country is not wonderful but it’s a reality. Anything can happen at any time, so we leave it in God's hands.”

Jacob Malobola from Kanana close to Kleinfontein urged people to come in their numbers to cast their votes: “It’s important to vote because if you don’t vote, you can’t complain if things in the country don’t change.”

Phetole Raseala also from Kanana said he was disappointed with the current state of affairs in the country: “We don’t have work, people don’t have food and we are suffering. Maybe if we vote today I think things might change. I am hopeful that my party will win this election.” — Iavan Pijoos

November 1 — 07:41

Late arrival of ballot boxes and voting machines behind delays in Pretoria

The queue outside Elardus Park voting station in Pretoria East was nearly a kilometre long as voters waited for IEC officials to set up. The late arrival of ballot boxes and voting machines were behind the delays.

Mbongeni Phakathi said that he was excited about voting: “I am here to make sure that there is change and to help end the suffering of millions of South Africans. I was here at 6.30am. Why were the ballots not here a lot earlier? I am very upset. We should have voted already. We all get tired of standing here. Both the old and the young are stuck are angry.”

Michelle Davies said she was glad she could vote and know the process is not hijacked and the vote counts: “This voting district always has queues and I'm used to it — I always thought it would get better but clearly not today.”

An IEC official and election monitors said there were other voting stations also affected. The official said they did not have a reason for why the ballots and machines were delayed. “Fortunately they are here now and we are setting up. It's a small hiccup but we will get the process going soon.” — Graeme Hosken

Dee Govender, from Musgrave, last cast her vote in 1994. "I was two-minded about voting today but the corruption drove me to vote today. I won't reveal my vote but I'm definitely not voting for the ANC. We pay such high rates, yet we have a taxi rank right outside our place. There needs to be change. The roads in the area are also bad."

Russell Graham is also not voting for the ANC. "I came early to get it over and done with. ANC must definitely lose. They had too much power for too long. They need a strong opposition." — Suthentira Govender

Mildred Du Preez, 72, said she was not too concerned. “My son said these things happen. As long as I vote, I am happy.”

Wheelchair-bound Alleta Wahl, 87, said the IEC officials could have had things better prepared, “but we will get there. I am in a wheelchair and they brought me to the front, now I must just wait.”

Francois Joubert said he was at the voting station at 6am. “Either way I will vote. No vote, no complaint. Every vote counts. The delays are irritating. I was here at 6am to cast my vote early, knowing I would queue for a bit. It's now a bit frustrating but I'm not moving from the queue.” — Graeme Hosken

November 1 — 07:04

'We wanted to be the first people to exercise our rights'

When TimesLIVE arrived at the voting station of ward 68, in Masizani Primary School in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, there were four men on the queue who were eager to vote.

Vincent Baloyi said he woke up at 5am and wanted to be the first in the queue to exercise his rights.

"We were expecting that it would be in and out when we get here, but we know that they will be opening at 7am. We wanted to be the first people to exercise our rights and then go do other things after voting. Sometimes when you come here late you find that the queue is long and you get discouraged and turn back," he said.

Baloyi said he wanted to ensure that a right political party takes charge.

"We want to put the right people on the right position, it doesn't help if you don't vote, you might be angry because of another party but if you don't vote you might be giving a party that you don't want a chance to rule, so you need to vote."

He complained of the state of the area saying a change is needed. — Shonisani Tshikalange

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