#IMadeMyMark: Mbombela municipal elections start off without a hitch
It was a smooth and swift start to the municipal elections. No major issues were reported in the Lowveld since voting stations opened at 07:00 on Monday.
A Mpumalanga IEC spokesperson, Thanduxolo Chembeni, said Monday’s proceedings had started out well and on time, although there were a few hiccups regarding the special votes over the weekend. He said a small number of voting stations across Mbombela had been delayed by half an hour, however, all of them were open and operating smoothly by 09:00 on Saturday October 30.
“We had a positive turn-out over the weekend and apart from the delays, everything went very well. We are expecting things to run smoothly on Monday as well,” said Chembeni.
Meanwhile, registered voters at the Valencia Community Hall said they were all impressed and satisfied with the way the process had gone.
“It was very quick and there were no issues. The IEC staff were also very friendly,” said Lowvelder Gideon Malapane.
Another local voter, Shaun Binns, encouraged residents to vote.
“Now is the time to let your voice be heard. If you do not vote, I don’t feel you can complain.”
Susan Smit, a resident, said South Africans were in a situation in which they do not really know who to vote for.
Thulisile Banda said she hoped for a change for the better in service delivery. “I think what I will tell the councillors is that they must mean what they say and not mislead us. If they know that they cannot do something, they must not promise it. That is what leads to the toyi-toyiing and the vandalising of structures.”
