POWER Lunch

Monday, 2 November 2026

Special voting for the local government elections dominated Power Lunch on Monday, 2 November, alongside a water crisis in Hammanskraal and a new poll showing many voters feel unrepresented.

1. 12:02

   Special voting continues with 2.6 million South Africans approved for special votes, a 131% increase on 2020. Stations open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, and IEC officials are doing home visits.

2. 12:05

   A new Ipsos survey found 53% of eligible voters feel no political party represents their views. Analyst Mari Harris expects coalition governments in most metros, local and district councils after Wednesday's polls.

3. 13:05

   Home Affairs clarified that only South African citizens, by birth or naturalisation, can vote. Visa holders and permanent residents do not qualify, and it has extended front-office hours and allowed walk-ins for ID documents.

4. 14:01

   Hammanskraal residents voted amid multi-week water outages after criminals vandalised the raw water pump station and stole critical electrical equipment. A former ward councillor says security guard contracts at the pumping station expired in September.

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