Elections 2024: 'My son died campaigning', says mourning aunt
Hundreds of thousands of South Africans are continuing to make use of the opportunity to cast their votes early on Tuesday ahead of Wednesdays expected long queues.
Illustration: Lisa Nelson/GroundUp
JOHANNESBURG - Some South Africans who cast their early ballots have detailed their reasons for voting in what has been described as the country's most consequential elections.
It's day two of special voting on Tuesday, and hundreds of thousands of South Africans are making use of the opportunity ahead of Wednesday's expected long queues.
Almost 1.6 million South Africans have applied to vote early.
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The IEC opened its doors for special voting on Monday, where at least over 200,000 people were able to cast their ballots.
Pensioner Muriel Smith explained why she applied to vote before Wednesday: “To miss the long queues, and due to my medical condition, that’s why I tried to get in. I didn’t know there was a special vote for our seniors, so I’m just making use of it.”
KHUTSONG’S TERRIBLE ROADS, UNEMPLOYMENT NOT ENOUGH TO NOT VOTE FOR ANC
Meanwhile, in the West Rand, an elderly Khutsong resident said the terrible state of the roads and unemployment crisis in her area were not enough reasons for her to abandon the African National Congress (ANC).
Ninety-two-year-old Aletha Molefi marked the ballot paper on Monday during day one of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)'s special voting.
She is among 22 elderly citizens in her ward who voted in the comfort of their homes.
Molefi was washing dishes in her kitchen when IEC officials visited her.
Her mind was already made up by the time she was handed the pen and ballot paper, as all she needed was help with locating the ANC logo.
She then listed her concerns to Eyewitness News, but further added that maybe one day the ANC will get it right.
“I voted for Mandela today because his party is the reason I’m here. We have no roads here but at least the family has a house today because of Mandela.”
With Khutsong being on dolomitic terrain, she is among people who fear sinkholes will one day swallow her home.
‘MY SON DIED BECAUSE HE WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR THESE ELECTIONS’
But the lead-up to the polls has not been without concerning incidents. The family of a murdered uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member in Katlehong said his death has turned them away from voting.
Bongani Mkhwanazi was shot and killed alongside his fellow party member Xolani Nzimande on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said the pair were killed allegedly during a fight with ANC members.
The murder of two MK Party members so soon before election day has rocked the community of Thwala in Katlehong.
The family of Mkhwanazi said they fear for their lives.
Mkhwanazi’s aunt, Busisiwe Mkhwanazi, said it was politics that killed her nephew.
“If I am going to vote, who am I going to vote for because my son died because he was campaigning for these elections. South Africa has failed us in a lot of things, our children are dying every day.”
Three male adults are expected to appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court later on Tuesday for the double murder.
At the same time, police say officers are on the ground to ensure people vote peacefully.