Controversy reigns over dumped ballot box
Now the win is regarded as a controversial one, with the matter under investigation by the Richards Bay SAPS and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
THE gloves are off for opposition party leaders in Richards Bay after a ballot box, reportedly filled with DA and IFP votes, was found discarded on Friday at the Sitholinhlanhla Primary School in Mzingazi.
Police were called out to collect the bin at Sitholinhlanhla, one of the voting stations in the City of uMhlathuze’s Ward 1, won by the ANC.
The ward, previously held by the DA, saw its boundaries altered before the elections to stretch from Meerensee into an extended area of neighbouring Mzingazi – a decision many believed was made to strengthen the ANC’s hold on the area, with the successful outcome announced on Friday morning.
But now the win is regarded as a controversial one, with the matter under investigation by the Richards Bay SAPS and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
According to the IEC’s online results for the ward on Sunday morning, the ANC came out on top with 49.25%, followed by the DA (38.45%), IFP (8.18%) and EFF (1.21%).
Both the DA and IFP are disputing these figures. ‘It is a big concern to me how ballot boxes can be misplaced and dumped without anyone raising questions,’ said DA Ward 1 candidate Henning de Wet.
‘Surely there was a person responsible who, with police escorts, had to collect these boxes at the voting stations and transport them to the IEC.
‘I condemn the IEC for not noticing the missing ballot box and votes, and not raising questions or even holding the responsible person accountable. ‘We, the DA, will most certainly follow up on the IEC’s investigation.’
IFP Secretary of the uMhlathuze Task Team, Ivan Naidoo, said the IFP will keep a close eye on the inquiry.
‘There must be a thorough investigation into the Sitholinhlanhla voting station, and the votes must be audited independently by the IEC.
‘Furthermore, the IEC must ensure votes are stamped when counted in future.
‘Because of this simple omission, we do not know if the votes were actually taken into account or simply thrown out the back door.’
IEC uThungulu Regional Supervisor, Thule Dlamini said it is too early to comment on a plan of action.
‘The matter is still being investigated by the police and we, as the IEC, are still discussing how we will move forward.’
Objection, Ward 29
The IFP has also lodged an objection with the Commissioner regarding the ANC’s triumph in the City of uMhlathuze’s Ward 29.
Naidoo said party agents at the counting station witnessed the IFP ‘winning KwaMadlebe outright’.
‘We have spoken to our legal advisers and will insist on a thorough investigation and a recount of ballots, reversing the nomination and declaring IFP candidate MF Shandu to take over the reins.’
As of Sunday the IEC website reflected results for Ward 29 as ANC (48.81%), IFP(45.06%) and the EFF (2.48%) with 100% of the votes counted.
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