KwaZulu-Natal – 17 polling stations in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province failed to open to voters over four hours after the official opening time, due to ongoing protests.
A total of ten of these stations are in eBhethani in Bergville (4 stations) and Entabamhlophe in Escourt (6 stations) in the Uthukela District. Election staff were unable to open at 7a.m. along with the rest of the country as residents protested fiercely.
Protesting residents want the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to address what they say is a critical issue for them – the issue of housing.
In a media briefing at the national Results Operation Center at noon today, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed that there were delays in the opening of 17 polling stations in the KZN province.
“By 11h30 today, only 17 voting stations remained unopened due to access challenges. 14 of these were in the southern coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The Electoral Commission is working closely with security agencies supported by government departments to open these stations as soon as possible and cafe for voters and election staff,” said IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.
Mamabolo said the IEC will consider extending voting hours in the affected areas. Nqubeko FM, KwaZulu-Natal (Edited by Philile Masango)
The Alliance for Transformation for All (ATA)
holds its 2019 national election rally on Sunday April 28 at Kandahar Sports
Field in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.
ATA, led by President Ntsikelelo Gaehler is
a newly established political party and brain child of the taxi industry.
According to ATA’s provincial executive
council member Mncedisi Mbuyisa, the political party was formed in July 2018 in
order to give a voice to the needs and interests of the taxi industry which, he
says, are often overlooked in governance issues.
Mbuyisa says it is important to have the taxi industry, which consists of taxi owners, employees, taxi rank vendors and hawkers, and security marshals represented in parliament and also to advance peace and economic growth in this vibrant transport sector.
“We want to be the voice that advocates for
peace and also uplifts communities in all areas of our lives”, Mbuyisa says.
Mbuyisa is confident about what ATA can
deliver saying, “ATA has a proven track record in people development. This is
reflected by the fact that the taxi industry was established independently from
nothing by ourselves and has continuously created jobs for our people.”
ATA Organizer Nombuso Zikalala says people from
all walks of life are invited and encouraged to participate in the party’s
activities including the national rally as the party is not exclusive to taxi
industry players.
“Everybody is represented in ATA; the elderly, the disabled, women, youth, and widows to name a few as we are dedicated to addressing and accommodating the diverse needs of our communities.” – Nqubeko FM, Ladysmith (edited by Siya Motha and Philile Masango)
Thomas Thabede of Nqubeko FM interviews the ATA’s Nombuso Zikalala and Mncedisi Mbuyisa
African
Transformation Movement, ATM, has confirmed it has changed its name from
African Transformation Congress.
ATM
spokesperson Mandisa Mashiya, says the change came about after the IEC had
raised concerns with the use of the term, “congress”. Many political parties,
it said, used the word and that it could potentially cause confusion.
“As a result of having a lot of political parties registered with the IEC that has the word ‘congress’ on their certificates, the party was requested to consider the word ‘congress’ as it may confuse a lot of voters”. Mashiya explains. – Nqubeko FM (Edited by Simba Honde)
ATM spokesperson Mandisa Mashile, explaining her party’s change of name.
Zwakele Mncwango, the DA’s candidate for premier of KwaZulu Natal, (far right) campaigns with DA members in Estcourt. Pic: @zwakelem
The Democratic Alliance’s KwaZulu Natal candidate
for premier, Zwakele Mncwango, visited Escourt to welcome hundreds of new
members into the DA.
According to the party’s Twitter account,
more than 600 people were welcomed.
Mncwango also campaigned door to door in the
area, asking residents to vote for the DA.
Residents who were able to meet Mncwango
told him about the challenges they are facing, particularly unemployment.
Speaking to the media, Mncwango said the community of Escourt is suffering and vowed that if his party were to be elected into office, they would make sure that at least one member of each household is employed. – Nqubeko Community radio
The DA’s Mncwango speaks to Nqubeko Community Radio
In his first public appearance since the
death of his wife, Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosutho Buthelezi visited
Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal to campaign in a by-election.
Residents of ward 4 in the town, part of
the Okhahlamba municipality, are due to go to the polls this week to elect a
new councilor after the death of the ANC ward councillor.
Even though most attention is focused on
the national election due on May 8, Buthelezi urged residents not to undermine
the significance of taking part in Wednesday’s by-election that will be held on
Wednesday.
This was the IFP leader’s first appearance
since the death of his wife, Princess Irene Thandekile Buthelezi, on March 25.
Buthelezi
thanked the public for the support offered on the death of his wife, and called
on voters to back the IFP candidate, Mkhuzeni Hlongwane. If he is elected, control of the municipality
will revert to the IFP, Buthelezi said.
According to his prepared speech, “The IFP is ready to
take back Okhahlamba, not because we are hungry for power, but because we want
more for this community. We want clean governance, honest leadership,
transparency and participation.”
The National Democratic Convention (NADECO) won’t be participating in the May 8 election as it sent its documents to the wrong email address, party leader Siyabonga Sibisi said in an interview with Ladysmith community radio station Nqubeko.
The party, which broke away from the
Inkatha Freedom Party several years ago, was shocked to realize that they were
not on the list of parties that are registered with the IEC, Sibisi told the station
on April 5.
But he blamed the IEC for the mistake. ‘’We
went to our local IEC office here in Ladysmith to submit our documents, but we
were told that were should contact the national IEC office in Pretoria,’’
Sibisi said. An email to the IEC bounced because they were given the wrong
email address by their local IEC office, and they did not realize that the
email was not sent.
“We only realized that we are not on the
list after realizing that the IEC has invited all registered political parties
to come and sign the code of conduct in Durban,” Sibisi added.
The party leader apologized to supporters
and said the party would partner with other parties and were currently in talks
with the National Freedom Party to this end.
Nadeco leader Siyabonga Sibisi speaks to Nqubeko Community Radio
