RC 261104SAfmAshraf Garda
Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Local government election day ran largely smoothly, but ballot theft, a voter's death in a Durban-area queue and a traditional-court chair row dominated the afternoon coverage.
- 15:01
The IEC has added safeguards after unused ballots and the validating stamp were stolen from a Ward 2 voting station in Etequini, KwaZulu-Natal. The stolen stamp is distinguishable from election-day stamps.
- 17:09
An elderly woman collapsed in the voting queue at Shallcross Primary School south of Durban and was declared dead on arrival at hospital after three ambulance calls went unanswered.
- 15:03
Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said only South African citizens with valid identification can vote. Foreign nationals on permits or visas are not eligible, and people who lost their IDs should apply for temporary IDs at Home Affairs.
- 15:48
A traditional leader in Edumbe shut a voting station after a party agent sat on his red office chair, and turned away women wearing pants. He later apologised and voting resumed.
- 16:14
Political analyst Dr Sisman Motlong says a hung council means no party holds a majority of seats, so small parties such as Al-Jama-ah, Patriotic Alliance and Freedom Front could become kingmakers.