Mayoral candidates across Gauteng shared their views after casting ballots in the November 2026 local government elections, stressing the need for political tolerance while highlighting concerns about low voter turnout and alleged irregularities at polling stations.
Kenny Kunene, Patriotic Alliance deputy president and Johannesburg mayoral candidate, warned of attempts by some political party members to manipulate ballots. Speaking at a voting station, Kunene said, “Look, we need to have political tolerance, but we have also seen incidents where some of the members and candidates of certain political parties are trying to steal ballots, trying to bring ballots that were not voted for in the voting stations.” He urged police to maintain a strong presence at the polls to uphold electoral integrity. These allegations remain unverified by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) or SAPS at this stage.
Ziyanda Zwane, the Inkatha Freedom Party’s Tshwane mayoral candidate, expressed concern over low voter turnout in township areas. “My observations so far with these elections, especially in the townships, are that people are not coming out. There are no queues, and obviously they are leaving it until late, when there will be no time for them,” Zwane said. He warned that insufficient participation could weaken communities’ ability to effect local government change, adding that service delivery had steadily deteriorated.
ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, praised the IEC’s management of the elections, stating, “I like the way the IEC conducted itself. They did all they were supposed to do.” Khumalo encouraged especially young voters to take full advantage of their right.
Official data from the IEC shows that by 5pm on 4 November 2026, over 12 million ballots had been cast nationally, with Gauteng leading the provinces with some 3 million votes—the highest turnout recorded. Independent media sources TimesLIVE and Eyewitness News corroborate these figures, illustrating Gauteng’s pivotal role in the local government elections’ turnout.
National political figures also participated: Mmusi Maimane voted in Dobsonville, Soweto, expressing the elections’ importance for tackling service delivery, corruption, and unemployment. He confirmed his vote for the Black Opinion South Africa (BOSA) party and candidate Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Gayton McKenzie, Patriotic Alliance leader, voted in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, lamenting perceived media bias against his party during the campaign.
While candidates have raised concerns about ballot interference and turnout, these remain claims without official confirmation from electoral or law enforcement authorities. The IEC continues to monitor the process, urging voters to make their final push to the polls before voting closes.
This election cycle reflects ongoing challenges in South Africa’s democratic process, as candidates grapple with encouraging voter engagement and assuring electoral integrity in a highly contested environment.
The Cape Flats author will update on further official statements from the IEC and SAPS as results unfold and investigations proceed.