Election day fever grips town

The national election is in full swing, with voters across Middelburg casting their ballots.

Steve Tshwete Executive Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela was pictured at Thushanga Primary School this morning, with the incumbent mayor submitting his vote alongside other community members.

Voters are said to be in a jovial mood, with lines moving swiftly, without disruption across Mhluzi.

You can watch the Mayor encourage voters to head to the polls in a video below:

@middelburgobserver

Mayor Voting! Steve Tshwete Executive Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela was pictured at Thushanga Primary School this morning, with the incumbent mayor submitting his vote alongside other community members. #voting #election #election2024 #southafrica #middelburg

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

However, there was an interruption at Aerorand Primary School, with the voting station unable to verify ballots before opening to the public.

This resulted in a 20-30 minute delay to proceedings, causing a large queue at the school.

There have also been reports that one of the two voting machines at the school has been malfunctioning, causing further delays.

You can see a video of the queuing below:

@middelburgobserver

Voting Queues! Large queues at Aerorand Primary School voting station, after a delay in opening this morning. #middelburg #southafrica #election

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

There are also reports that voting was off to a slow start at Laerskool Kanonkop. A long queue was formed by 08:00 as early birds hoped for a head start. Voters, however, attested to an agonising wait to cast their ballots.

Council Speaker Thato Mathunyane voted at Manyano Primary School this morning, where he spoke to the media about the importance of the public participating in the country’s future by casting their ballot.

You can watch the Speaker’s video here:

@middelburgobserver

Council Speaker Thato Mathunyane voted at Manyano Primary School this morning, where he spoke to the media about the importance of the public participating in the country’s future by casting their ballot. #election2024 #middelburg #southafrica #election #voting

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

Below you can find a gallery of images of residents voting all over Middelburg.