LIVE | NFP media briefing
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The National Freedom Party (NFP) is briefing members of the media on its engagement with various parties concerning coalitions.
LIVE | NFP Media briefing:
EFF in N Cape calls for serious attention to election results
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EFF Provincial Chairperson in the Northern Cape, Shadrack Tlhaole, has emphasised that the election results in the province should not be taken lightly.
As of midnight, with 99.7% of the results captured, the African National Congress (ANC) held over 49% of the votes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) had over 21%, the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) stood at over 12%, and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) had 8.8%.
Complete results were expected before midnight, but four voting districts in Tsantsabane and Gasegonyana were still outstanding.
Tlhaole says, “This is just a simple thing that became just a stress for everyone in the province. No one must take it lightly. We need to be honest to our people out there. But also I believe this is what is going to give our people service delivery.”
“No one will disrespect anyone, especially our people. I think this is a good byte to potholes, this is a good byte to water-shedding, this is a good bite to unfair employment that has been in the province. I believe what we have done as the EFF is appreciative, and we are happy that the EFF has grown,” Tlhaole added.
Analysing early election results with Dr Thapelo Tselapedi, Prof Susan Booysen
Public safety, police visibility top priorities as SA votes
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Top police brass across the country have once again reassured citizens that safety will be a top priority as millions of South Africans cast their votes today.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, says he’s confident that the people of the province will exercise their right to vote responsibly.
17 000 police officers have been deployed to hotspots across the province.
Polling stations nationwide opened at 07:00 and will close at 21:00.
Addressing the media in Durban, Mkhwanazi explained how police identified high risk areas.
“It is informed by protests that normally happen in that area (due to) the intolerance that we have observed between political parties contesting in that specific ward…so that’s what makes us to be on high alert. In such instances, it is all about the political instability that exists in that area. The people of this province are going to prove to South Africans that they are disciplined, and they can have free and fair elections and they respect the law. So, I think this is the time they can show it to the country, how good they are. They are going to go out there and vote, but they are going to do that in a disciplined manner.”
Mpumalanga
In Mpumalanga, the Provincial Police Commissioner, Semakaleng Manamela, has again reassured voters and Electoral Commission (IEC) officials that law enforcement officers, including the police, are on the ground to protect them.
Manamela says they take the safety of all South Africans seriously.
At least three separate incidents involving members of some political parties and the IEC officials have been reported in Acornhoek, Elukwatini and Hendrina since the beginning of the week.
Manamela has assured citizens that adequate officers have been deployed to ensure law and order.
Ekurhuleni
In Gauteng, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) says its officers will maintain law and order during voting.
Spokesperson, Thabiso Makgatho says there will be rapid deployment to polling stations in the event of disruptions.
“We urge the members of the community to refrain from any violence, threats or disturbances. Furthermore, we give a stern warning that any form of lawlessness will not be tolerated. Citizens have the responsibility to exercise their rights within the constitution, without infringing or violating the rights of others. As the Ekurhuleni Metro Police, we will be fully operational in conjunction with other law enforcement to ensure that the South African citizens go and exercise their constitutional right to vote. We hope the elections will run smoothly and peacefully.”
George
In George in the Western Cape, police came out in the numbers in the early hours of the morning to accompany IEC officials to voting stations.
Voting stations are expected to open at 7am across the country as South Africans head to the polls. At the IEC’s main regional offices in George police officers are ensuring ballot papers and officials reach voting stations safely. #SAElections24 #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/UHVTHGYrQW
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) May 29, 2024
More details of police presence in George in the report below:
-Report by Minoshni Pillay and Nontlantla Mokati
Mahikeng elderly unable to cast special votes due to ID issue
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Senior citizens at Lapa la Botlhe Age Care Centre in Mahikeng, North West, have not been able to cast their special votes after the centre failed to meet the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) deadline for applications.
The centre’s representative Susan Kereeditse says one of the challenges was that they only have copies of the IDs of the elderly, while by law, people can only vote with their original IDs.
Malema criticises Eastern Cape govt for neglecting rural communities
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Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema took his election campaign to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where he slammed the provincial government for failing to provide basic services to impoverished communities in the rural areas.
Malema also met with the controversial abaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo.
The EFF leader was welcomed with chanting. He says the EFF was the solution to a number of challenges facing South Africa.
“We need to create jobs, road infrastructure must be in good condition, the supply of water and electricity must be reliable, they will never be a village here at O R Tambo without a shopping mall or a shopping complex if there is a proper road – no one want to invest in an area that is not accessible, and you have to build industries and open those industries you will never get jobs.”
Malema says under an EFF government, mud schools and pit latrines will be eradicated.
“There are mud schools here in the Eastern Cape, there are no toilets, and learners use bushes to relieve themselves. That cannot be correct, under the EFF we will make sure that learners’ safety is priorised, we will make sure that learners have a full mill, we will make sure that the quality of education is improved and no one will pay school fees and uniform will be provided.”
The people attending the meeting say that there were a lot of problems that needed to be solved.
President @Julius_S_Malema addressing the EFF community meeting in Butterworth this afternoon.
We took a decision to fight for our people 10 years ago and now we are marching to the Union Buildings. #MalemaForSAPresident #EFFCommunityMeetings #VoteEFF pic.twitter.com/sCcp05JpFC
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 14, 2024
One supporter says, “We have a problem of stock theft, we have no jobs, the standard of education here is poor so we want the eff to attend to all those things under its rule.”
Another laments, “We have no jobs, we have many problems and we hope that this party will deal with those challenges because eff is mainly young people our children, so we are hopeful and maybe things will change.”
The abaThembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, accompanied the EFF leader, endorsing him.
King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo says, “In Julius, we have a capable leader, we want him to take power, forward with Malema! Forward! No one else can lead this country except Julius Malema.”
Malema is set to also take his two-day campaign to the western half of the province, finishing in Gqeberha.