First time voters hoping to find jobs, fix up their lives

First time voters hoping to find jobs, fix up their lives

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The country’s most arguably contested election is over and it’s now business as usual in most communities.

Many, including the youth turned up in their numbers to uphold the right to vote in the country’s seventh democratic elections.

But for 33-year-old Lebo and Lebogang Munyai, this was their first experience.

The Munyai twins from Stinkwater in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria obtained their identity documents last year, after they struggled to be identified as South Africans for three decades.

Lebogang expressed how it felt like to cast their ballots for the first time.

“We were so happy that we were able to go and vote for the first time just like the other people. At least now we do appear on the system as South Africans. If only we can find jobs, we just want to work because that is the only way we are going to see progress. The grant money is not enough and we are living with children, so working will only be the solution. Maybe we can also fix our home and be like other people.”

2024 Elections | Analysts talk about voter turnout:

North West police process crimes related to elections

North West police process crimes related to elections

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Police in the North West say they have dealt with several matters reported on voting day.

In Wolmaranstad, a case was opened after a person, whose name did not appear on the voters’ roll, was allegedly allowed to vote.

In Itsoseng, one Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) official allegedly stabbed another.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone says a case of contravention of the Electoral Act was opened at Bedwang police station after a party agent allegedly attempted to influence a person to vote for a particular political party.

“The docket will be placed before prosecution today. The suspect is alleged to be an ANC (African National Congress) ward councillor,” adds Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the ANC’s North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping has denied any wrongdoing as far as the involvement of one of their agents influencing anyone to vote for the party.

“So the person who saw him as part of the party agent at the voting time then said that person was working for ANC during the day and then from there they decided to open a case. But that allegation is not true.”

NATJOINTS’ Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili updates on election-related crimes:

IEC ready for special votes

IEC ready for special votes

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The Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa says special votes will be counted with all the votes that will be cast on Wednesday.

It says preparations for the special votes tomorrow and on Tuesday have been finalised.

The commission’s operations manager, James Aphane, says they will still ensure that the vote stays secret.

“When we count on the 29th together with other ballots from the same area, in other words from the same voting district, firstly we are going to discuss the first envelope; in other words the one that has got details on it and the one without details will be emptied inside the other ballots from the normal voting to make sure that the person who voted via a special vote did really have a right to do so. The reason we do that is that when we count with the rest of the votes in that voting station, we then de-link the particulars of the voter so that the vote remains secret,” says Aphane.

Over 1.6 million people have applied for special votes.

Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have the most approved applications.

Aphane adds, “We do work closely with our partners that will be political parties on NPLC, they are aware of this project and they are aware of where special votes will be taking place.”

He also elaborates on the presence of political parties and observers.

“We also have observers that will be going with the teams to go to home visits and also be present at voting stations. So at home visits, yes there will be political parties and observers to be able to observe the process. So people will be assisted, those that are visually impaired or that are not stable in terms of being able to write. So there is assistance for those that are unable to vote normally like you and I,” says Aphane.

2024 Elections | Final day for special vote applications, IEC cautions against misinformation

ANC confident it will win May general election

ANC confident it will win May general election

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African National Congress (ANC) National Spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, says the party is confident that despite challenges, it will win the 2024 general election.

With just over a week until South Africans cast their votes in the general election, the ANC has set out its last-ditch effort to retain its position as the governing party.

During the party manifesto launch, the ANC said the manifesto builds on the achievements of the past 30 years of democracy to tackle the numerous challenges that persist.

Bhengu-Motsiri says the organisation is determined to win the elections.

“The campaign trail on the ground is giving us a very strong message about what our likely showing is going to be and we say this with utmost humility. We are the main party that is visible on the ground, if you look at our campaign trade, look at our ground battle, look at our aerial battle. I mean social media has always been very abuzz, much abuzz about the fact that the ANC, including pollsters, suggesting that the ANC is definitely going to go … some initially at about 30%,” adds Bhengu-Motsiri.

On Tuesday, ANC’s second Deputy Secretary-General, Maropene Ramokgopa said the party was confident it would obtain 90% of the votes in the Mpumalanga province and more than 50% nationally in the upcoming elections.

The video below is reporting more on the story

DA leader slams ANC cadre deployment for economic hindrance

DA leader slams ANC cadre deployment for economic hindrance

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Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has again criticised the African National Congress (ANC) cadre deployment policy, saying it was preventing the economic progression of towns and industries.

He was speaking at Upington, Northern Cape, at a rally ahead of the May 29th general elections.

Steenhuisen says the DA hopes to win the province for the first time outright or to rule through a coalition.

“Cadre deployment will never end when we leave the ANC to govern. They have wasted money.”

 

Meanwhile, Steenhuisen says that despite the Northern Cape being rich in minerals, its inhabitants are living in poverty.

The DA is hoping to win control of the province in the May 29th general elections.

Steenhuisen was electioneering in the province and, has urged those attending the party rally in Upington to vote for the DA.

“Upington should be a place that should be a tourist mecca in South Africa. It is in a terrible state because of a lack of investment and infrastructure. The people of the Northern Cape are going to suffer with the worst unemployment rate in the country and we need to do something about it. These elections offer citizens a chance to bring about change in the province.”