IEC official suspended amid vote rigging allegations in KwaZulu-Natal by-election"

THE Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has temporarily suspended an official involved in Wednesday’s fiercely contested by-election in Ward 18, Mandeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal. 

The official allegedly left the voting station during the election to charge a voter management device, prompting the ANC and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) to exchange accusations of vote rigging, which disrupted the voting process.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer (PEO) Ntombifuthi Masinga confirmed the suspension of the official to the Daily News, and that the matter would be subjected to a full investigation.

“The Electoral Commission is aware of reports regarding an incident at a voting station in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal, during Wednesday's by-elections, where a Presiding Officer temporarily left the voting station to charge a voter management device,” said Masinga. 

She added that the initial findings indicated that the device had received inadequate battery charge. “We are thoroughly investigating the matter to ensure all electoral processes maintain their integrity. The Commission remains committed to transparent and fair electoral procedures, and we will provide further updates once our investigation is complete.”

The situation in the Msunduzi voting district (VD) escalated when members of the MKP claimed they caught an IEC official attempting to steal an IEC voting scanner.

In a statement released by the ANC's General Gizenga Mpanza region's leadership, which Mandeni falls under, accused the apprehended individual of being affiliated with the MKP — a claim that has not been independently verified by the Daily News.

"The incident happened when MKP members entered the voting centre, which is a marquee that is erected on a sports field. As they were leaving the venue, one of the ANC volunteers noticed that one of the MKP members had stolen one of the IEC's scanners,” read the statement.

The by-election was already seen as a high-stakes contest, with MKP aiming to wrestle the crucial ward away from the ANC, which previously held the ward until the death of councillor Phendukani Mabhida, earlier this year.

Candidates in the race included Sanele Khulekani Mathonsi (ANC), Nkosiyapha Wiseman Zulu (IFP), Mthokozisi Mathunjwa (EFF), and Lindani Xhakaza (MKP). The respective political parties launched intense campaigns in the lead-up to the vote.

MKP leaders Bongani Baloyi and John Hlophe were active in the ward, while the IFP deployed its top brass, including party president Velenkosini Hlabisa and KZN chair Thamsanqa Ntuli, to rally supporters. The ANC also mounted a robust campaign to retain the seat.

This incident marks the latest instance where an IEC official was embroiled in alleged serious misconduct during elections.

IEC official Musawenkosi Mnikathi, who was an area manager in Mbali, Pietermaritzburg, faces charges that relate to vote rigging, stemming from an incident during last year’s national general elections.

MKP supporters claimed that Mnikathi was caught transporting ballot boxes with no police supervision.

The by-election results are expected in the early hours of Thursday. 

This is a developing story. 

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