The 2019 South African elections have finally kicked off and millions of South Africans are making set to cast their votes today. Briefly.co.za takes a look at all the general news on this historic voting day, keeping you updated on what's going on.
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At 9pm, voting stations officially closed - meaning, those who did not show up beforehand will not be allowed to cast their votes. All voters who were already in line would still be allowed to cast their votes.
DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi said the party is happy with the turnout, given the amount of time and resources they put into their campaign.
Malatsi added the DA worked tirelessly to ensure their supporters came out to vote.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa posted a video on his Twitter page which showed a man removing the IEC voting ink from his thumb.
Several political parties have raised this as a serious concern.
With less than half an hour left to vote, EFF leader Julius Malema called on South Africans who have not yet voted to do so quickly.
"MUST WATCH: In the final HOUR before Voting Stations close across the country, the CIC Julius Malema urges all South Africans who have not yet voted to come out in their numbers and vote. #OneHourLeftToVote," a video of Juju was captioned.
According to the ANC's Dakota Legoete, the ruling party has raised their issues with the IEC, adding that 37 voting stations nation-wide were not opened today.
However, Legoete added that of those, only five were not opened completely, and the IEC should be commended for a job well done.
The IEC reminded South Africans that it is against the law to "undermine the integrity of the #SAElections2019."
"We wish to remind all voters that any attempt to undermine the integrity of the #SAElections2019 election process – including remove the ink mark and voting more than once – constitutes electoral fraud and is punishable by up to 10 years in jail," the post read.
Young people are still queuing outside the Durban City Hall to get their chance to vote.
The IEC can reportedly not ensure that all voters only vote once because they do not have the measure in place to guarantee no repeat-votes.
On 8 May, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi voted for the first time ever without his wife, Princess Irene Audrey Thandekile Buthelezi, as she passed away earlier this year.
"I feel the absence of my wife," he said.
Six people were apprehended by the SAPS because of their alleged involvement in violent protest action during the #SAelections2019.
Black First Land First (BLF) President Andile Mngxitama voted for his own party for the first time today.
Mngxitama said the BLF is a party that represents the poor and they cannot be bought.
Andrew Mlangeni, one of the last two living Rivonia trialists, was filmed voting for the ANC earlier today.
Former Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile cast his vote dressed in ANC-branded clothing.
"ANC Treasurer General Comrade Paul Mashatile casts his vote, his vote is no secret. Dressed in his ANC colors #IVotedANC," the ANC captioned photos of Mashatile.
South Africans took to social media to gush about the parties they voted for and it resulted in two major parties trending on Twitter.
#IVotedEFF and #IVotedANC are both trending on the social media platform at the moment.
A tent at a voting station in QwaQwa, Free-State, was stolen on Tuesday night. IEC spokesperson in the province, Mmathabo Rasengane, confirmed the incident and added that the SAPS has not been able to recover the tent.
The IEC spokesperson in the Free State revealed voting was 'going slow' in the province. She said the terrible weather is partly to blame, adding it was 'pouring' and people were not coming out to vote in large numbers.
By 5pm today, five voting stations were still not opened, the IEC announced. According to Eyewitness News, one of the stations is in Buffalo City, another in the Eastern Cape and the remaining ones are in KwaZulu-Natal.
Courtney Sampson, the head of the IEC in the Western Cape, confirmed that a couple of voting stations in the Cape Town city bowl have run out of ballot papers.
"Nothing prepared us for how widespread the voting in a voting station where you are not registered is going to be. The message went out that you can vote anywhere and we are now paying the price for that," he said.
The head of the IEC in the Western Cape, Courtney Sampson, briefing journalists at the commission's results centre in Century City.
Source: Facebook
Mmusi Maimane was the most-Googled South African politician over the past 24 hours. According to the Mail and Guardian, Maimane was searched over 5 000 times, followed by Juju and then Cyril Ramaphosa.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane, Alan Winde and Phumzile van Damme met up with voters on Wednesday afternoon.
"The winning team! Leader @MmusiMaimane, @alanwinde and @zilevandamme are meeting outside the Athlone voting station and will engage and encourage voters to vote for progressive Western Cape and keep corrupt parties out of the Province. #KhulaDA #2019Elections," the post was captioned.
A voting station at the local primary school in the small town of Mamre has run out of VEC 4 forms.
According to Eyewitness News, a second elderly voter has passed away. It was earlier confirmed that an elderly voter died in Tshwane.
IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has decided to put his retirement plans on hold. After he voted at Buthelezi Tribal Court, Buthelezi was asked about his future plans, to which he responded that he would go back to parliament.
“As long as I am still alive I will not leave my party I will assist the leadership that will be elected," he said.
Local musician Jesse Clegg has joined millions of other South Africans who cast their votes in the #SAelections2019.
Social media user Bram Hanekom posted several photos of his family, all dressed in ANC-branded clothing.
"@CyrilRamaphosa our president, @MYANC our political home. #VoteANC," he captioned the post.
STRONG EARLY TURNOUT AS ELECTIONS GET UNDERWAY 12H00 8 MAY 2019 Tshwane (National Results Operations Centre)
Election Day got underway to a very positive start at 07H00 today as voting stations across South Africa opened and voters arrived in high numbers to cast their votes in the National and Provincial Elections.
Reports from election operations around the country showed that almost all voting stations opened on time and by 11H00 today large numbers of voters had already cast their ballots.
In scenes reminiscent of 1994, long queues of voters were seen waiting patiently to vote at voting stations throughout the country.
The Electoral Commission assures voters that adequate supplies of all materials including more than 60 million ballot papers are available and every voter will be assisted to vote.
Traditionally voting queues peak early as voters often seek to vote first thing during the day.
As always there were some challenges reported including instances where election staff failed to report on time for duty and where materials were delivered late. These had all been resolved by 09h00.
The Electoral Commission is sad to report the death of a Deputy Presiding Officer in the Eastern Cape due to illness overnight and extends its condolences to the family.
The Commission has also received reports of an elderly voter who apparently died in a voting station in Elandspoort, Tshwane early today and expresses its condolences to the family.
Further details are not yet known.
A vehicle accident involving election staff was reported in the Eastern Cape and fortunately no serious injuries were reported.
A number of challenges relating to access to voting stations due to trenches dug across access roads as part of protest actions were reported but in most cases the South African Police Services, supported by the Department of Transport and municipal services were on standby to quickly resolve these.
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 safe for voters and election staff.
Inclement weather was reported through the southern parts of the country including parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State where cold conditions and rain were reported. However, the weather was not bad enough to affect voting operations.
The Electoral Commission has also noted media and social media reports of voters who have attempted or apparently been able to remove the indelible ink mark on their thumbs.
The indelible ink is one of a number of security checks and safeguards built into the election process but the Commission wishes to remind all voters that any attempt to undermine the integrity of the election process – including attempting to remove the ink mark – constitutes electoral fraud and is punishable by up to 10 years in jail.
The Electoral Commission wishes to thank voters who have already responded to the call to vote and appeals to all remaining voters to make their way to a voting station before they close at 21H00 tonight.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made a couple of Instagram calls to local celebs, including Bonang.
Queen B told the president she was at the voting station, ready to cast her vote.
South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, made an Instagram call to DJ Tira. According to the ANC, DJ Tira was on a flight to Durban to vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa made an Instagram call to AKA and a video of it was posted on social media.
The president also talked to DJ Zinhle, who was with the rapper during the call.
The ballot papers at two Durban North voting stations - the Action Cricket Venue in Rinaldo Road and the Corovoca Primary School in Avoca - have run out.
Democratic Alliance Councillor, Pete Graham, said the ballot papers had run out before 9am on Wednesday morning.
Gwede Mantashe took to social media to share a video of himself posting his ballot at the Boksburg Primary School, Freeway Park.
Former South African president Jacob Zuma was all smiles as he cast his vote at the Ntolwane Primary School in eNkandla.
Msholozi also urged people to exercise their democratic right by casting their votes at their nearest voting stations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa was photographed making phone calls to South Africans after he cast his vote.
"The President is in Centurion today at our call center, the President will be making a few calls to the people of South Africa," the post was captioned.
One of the people he called was Ntombifuthi, a wife and mother who revealed she voted for him.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said Malema did nothing wrong when he addressed EFF supporters outside the voting station.
According to Fikile Mbalula, Juju's actions violated the electoral code. However, the IEC said leaders were allowed to address their followers outside the voting stations.
The IEC said: "We can confirm that party leaders may address their followers outside a voting station, as long as it doesn't impede the operation of the voting station. This is not construed as campaigning either. Thanks for checking."
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi cast his vote for the IFP and a photo of him posting his ballot was posted on social media.
"IFP President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi's vote is no secret! #VoteIFP #Elections2019 Get out to vote today and have your say! #XseGoVote @IECSouthAfrica #TrustUs," a post was captioned.
Former SA head of state, Thabo Mbeki, showed up with Panyaza Lesufi at the polling station to cast his vote.
The duo were spotted talking to the media before they set off to vote.
Madiba's great-grandson, Mayibuye Mandela, revealed he would be voting for the Black First Land First party in the elections because he does not like white people.
Mayibuye reportedly made the comments in a telephone interview with Times LIVE.
Former South African president FW de Klerk, who was the last head of state of the previous regime, arrived at Fisherman's garage in Sea Point to cast his vote.
A deputy-residing officer in the Eastern Cape and one voter in Tshwane have passed away at voting stations, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said.
Moments after arriving at the polling station, President Cyril Ramaphosa cast his vote. Video footage of the president's vote was shared on social media.
After casting his vote, Ramaphosa addressed the media.
ANC Deputy-President David Mabuza cast his vote this morning at the Azuri Farm Voting Station in Barberton, Mpumalanga.
It was Mabuza's sixth National and Provincial General Election.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at the voting station to check if his name is on the voters' roll.
EFF leader Julius Malema has voted at the Mponegele Primary School in Seshego. Juju was accompanied by his wifey, who EFF supporters have dubbed the 'incoming first lady.'
Msholozi and one of his wives, MaKhumalo, queued to cast their votes at the Ntolwane Primary School in Nkandla.
Patricia de Lille made her way down to the polling station to cast her vote early so that she could spend the rest of the day helping others in the rainy weather.
"I'm voting early so I can spend the rest of the day helping others get to their stations. Get out your raincoats and umbrellas (orange preferred). Weather doesn't stop good people exercising their rights and opinions. Vote to fix South Africa for good," she said.
The mother of DA leader Mmusi Maimane believes her son will be the next South African head of state.
Ethel Maimane accompanied her son to the Presbyterian Church polling station in Dobsonville, Soweto where they both voted.
She added she is confident her son would be victorious in the 2019 elections.
“You can see the difference [this time] and we believe that change is there,” she said.
The proud mama added it was 'obvious' who she voted for.
Solly Msimanga cast his vote in Tswane. He was joined by DA leader Mmusi Maimane who dubbed him 'Gauteng's next Premier'.
Solly Msimanga casts his vote. Photo credit: Mmusi Maimane/Facebook.
Source: Facebook
Congress of the People (COPE) leader Mosiuoa Lekota has voted at the Moqhaka Municipality in the Constantia Township.
Lekota revealed he chose Moqhaka to cast his vote because his parents were buried there.
“I’m here to join my ancestors, my Parents died and buried here," he said.
COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota casts his vote. Photo credit: Congress of the People (COPE)/Facebook.
Source: Facebook
EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu cast his vote, the party confirmed on Facebook.
"Our Deputy President Floyd Shivambu has cast his vote. A vote for the EFF is a vote for massive protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs. #VoteEFF #OurLandAndJobsNow #EFFFinalPush #IAmVotingEFF," the post read.
The Mponegele Primary School, where Julius Malema is set to cast his vote, has been flooded with EFF supporters who sang songs in his name.
The former South African head of state, Kgalema Motlanthe, visited the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg to cast his vote.
Motlanthe said the ANC leadership knows it is their last chance to do better.
Bongani Mabena, who is serving a life sentence, said it is important for inmates to vote because after their sentences, they "will be reintegrated into the community.”
Taking to social media, the Minister of Public Service and Administration shared a photo of her and her daughter's thumbs, which showed the voting mark.
"Mother @MinAyandaDlodlo and daughter @LVon_B just voted," she captioned the post.
Voters in the Western Cape have braved heavy rains and cold weather to cast their votes at Table View.
Heavy rain could not stop voters who have come out in their numbers in Table View. Photo credit: SABC News Western Cape/Facebook.
Source: Facebook
The EFF has called on its supporters to vote today and take back the land without the need for violence.
A 32-year-old man, Jalil Abbas, was the first person to queue at East London City Hall to cast his vote. Abbas revealed he left his wife, who was in labour, at the hospital to vote.
Earlier today, Bantu Holomisa arrived at the Arcadia Primary School in Tshwane to cast his vote.
Floyd Shivambu will travel to the Moses Kotane Primary School in Johannesburg to cast his vote at 09:00 am.
Taking to social media, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) revealed more details surrounding Juju's vote on 8 May.
"The Commander In Chief @Julius_S_Malema will cast his vote for the National General Elections under the following details: #IChooseToVoteEFF #VoteEFF #OurLandAndJobsNow #EFFFinalPush #IAmVotingEFF," the post read.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to cast his vote at 11:00 at the Hitekani Primary School in Soweto.
Ramaphosa will vote at a primary school in Soweto: Photo credit: SAGovernment/Twitter.
Source: Twitter
The SA head of state declared Wednesday, 8 May, a public holiday so that every South African can exercise their right to vote for their chosen political party.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane cast his vote and encouraged other South Africans to do the same.
"I am casting my vote in Dobsonville with my family. I encourage every single South African to go out today and vote for a party with a track record of good governance. Vote DA!"
Source: Briefly.co.za
