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The date for the upcoming local government elections was announced today. South Africans can now set their sights on 4 November 2026 as the day to break free from the chains of decay in which the ANC has entangled local governments across the country. 4 November is a Wednesday, just under six months from now. […]
The post Local government elections on 4 November mark a new dawn of hope appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Only 15 out of 18,000 voting officials in the Western Cape identified as having a disability in 2024 elections
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Greater Pretoria region today lodged a formal complaint with the Municipal Party Liaison Committee (MPLC) against DA representatives following incidents possibly constituting serious violations of the Electoral Code of Conduct. These occurred during campaigning for the upcoming by-election in Ward 57 (Lyttelton, Die Hoewes, Lyttelton Manor and […]
The post Freedom Front Plus lodges complaint regarding DA’s underhanded campaigning tactics in Ward 57 by-election appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Hlabisa launches public consultations for ward delimitation process
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has launched a series of public consultations aimed at facilitating the ward delimitation process in Mpumalanga.
Hlabisa officially launched the Municipal Demarcation Board’s (MDB) public consultation process for the 2025 Ward Delimitation.
The event, held in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, on Thursday, marked the beginning of engagements with communities nationwide regarding the adjustment of municipal ward boundaries, in preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE).
The Ward Delimitation Process plays a crucial role in enhancing democracy by ensuring that municipal ward boundaries accurately reflect demographic changes, promote fair representation, and foster effective local governance.
Public participation is essential to empower communities to influence how they are represented in local government, ensuring that public policies and initiatives reflect the diverse needs, values, and perspectives of the communities they serve.
Delivering a keynote address, Hlabisa encouraged communities to actively participate in these discussions.
The Minister reflected on the impact of ward delimitation on the lives of communities, as it is also a transformative opportunity for communities.
Hlabisa believes that the timely conclusion of this process is also integral to the success of the next Local Government Elections.
The Minister called for all stakeholders to provide the Municipal Demarcation Board with maximum support, to ensure the success of this process within the agreed timeframe.
According to the department, Section 154 of the Constitution stipulates that, if the electoral system includes ward representation, the delimitation of wards must be conducted by an independent authority appointed in terms of, and operating according to, procedures and criteria prescribed by national legislation.
The MDB is the independent authority tasked with defining municipal boundaries and overseeing community consultations with support from CoGTA and other relevant stakeholders.
“I urge us all to consider the impact that effective spatial planning and demarcation have on the lives of our citizens and the prosperity of our communities. This is important because while Municipal Wards are the smallest, they are critical units of local governance. They are the foundation upon which we build inclusive and effective systems for local governance,” Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa also stressed the significance of recognising that the delimitation of municipal wards is not merely a technical task, but “a transformative opportunity to strengthen democracy, promote inclusivity, and enhance service delivery.”
According to the Minister, the municipal wards serve as the fundamental building blocks of local government and spaces, where citizens directly engage with elected representatives and where community needs are identified and discussed.
“Wards reflect the diversity of our cities and towns, serving as microcosms of their respective communities. For these reasons, we should strive to ensure that ward delimitations foster improved social cohesion among our communities,” he added.
The Minister called on everyone, including the youth, people in traditional areas, and other community structures across the country, to become active participants in the process set to finalise the wards ahead of the LGE.
“The social cohesion will result from the connectedness, solidarity, and shared goal of ensuring democracy in action through the ward delimitation process. This will result in the community feeling empowered and included in deciding and finalising the wards.
“This will foster trust emanating from the engagements with communities through the public consultation process.”
The event focused on redefining municipal wards and the building blocks for inclusive and efficient local governance.
The gathering kick-started with public consultations for the nationwide ward delimitation process.
The public consultations will occur in all provinces, from April to June 2025.
The department believes that the success of the process depends on the nationwide maximum participation of our communities.
By the end of October 2025, the MDB will hand over the wards to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), in preparation for the 2026 LGE.
The speakers at the event emphasised that the ward delimitation process is democracy in action as it will see all South Africans given an opportunity to have a say on how their wards will be configured.
The outcome of the ward delimitation process will be the municipal ward boundaries, which accurately reflect demographic changes and foster effective local governance. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:36
22 views
IEC CEO calls for responsible, inclusive approach to e-voting in South Africa
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, has underscored the need for a responsible and inclusive approach to adopting new voting technologies.
The CEO was delivering remarks at the e-Voting Conference in Cape Town on Monday. The IEC is hosting a groundbreaking national dialogue on the future of voting in South Africa from 10 - 12 March 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
This three-day conference will launch South Africa's first Green Paper on e-Voting, bringing together voices from across society to shape how South Africans might vote in future elections.
“While digitalisation is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives, we must acknowledge that some portions of our country continue to have limited access to broadband connectivity, particularly in rural areas. In our discussion here, let us not be oblivious that a significant number of South Africans still have limited access to technology.
“Having said so, it is evident that the adoption of new technologies is apposite and necessary. We cannot be oblivious to the ever-present force that drives innovation and exposes us to new possibilities,” Mamabolo said.
The conference, which seeks to shape public policy on e-voting, comes at a time when South Africa is undergoing a digital transformation across various sectors. The Vision 2030 roadmap of South Africa emphasises incorporating technology into business, education and governance.
The country's burgeoning digital ecosystem is distinguished by developments in technology infrastructure driven by public and private sector partnerships.
Mamabolo said the rapid growth of data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure has transformed how most industries do business today and how ordinary folk converse.
Global and African E-Voting Experiences
The CEO highlighted that countries such as Estonia, Switzerland, Brazil and India have implemented or tested e-voting systems, while others have paused or abandoned such initiatives due to concerns related to security, costs and reliability.
In Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have explored e-voting, but challenges have hindered widespread implementation.
Mamabolo noted that some of the common delays or factors halting the implementation of e-voting in many countries are largely related to security concerns and affordability.
As a result, many countries have focused on digitalising aspects of the voting process (such as registration or information access) rather than implementing full-scale electronic voting systems and related technologies for their elections.
“As much as the prospects for experimenting with e-voting systems and technologies can be exciting, we must also approach it with open minds and a sense of responsibility.
“At the forefront of these challenges are questions of security and trust. We remain committed to our mandate to deliver uncompromised elections with utmost integrity, impartiality and accountability,” he said.
Addressing security concerns and digital divide
Mamabolo further stressed that in an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent, ensuring the safety and security of an electronic voting system is paramount.
“We must build systems that are resilient, secure, and able to withstand the threats of today and the future,” he said.
Moreover, he urged that the digital divide must be urgently addressed.
“As we indicate, South Africa is a country with varying levels of technological access. While urban areas may have reliable internet and a high rate of technological literacy, rural communities, and impoverished areas still face significant barriers to digital inclusion,” the CEO said.
IEC's Preparedness and Public Engagement
The IEC has already integrated technology into its processes through initiatives such as an online voter registration system, which allows citizens to register or update their details remotely.
“The Electoral Commission is already ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing the advent of technology. The Commission has implemented an online voter registration system that enables new voters to register and existing voters to update or alter their registration from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere. This online registration portal is not constrained by time and space,” the CEO said.
The commission believes that engaging with the public and key stakeholders is essential to ensuring that any transition to e-voting is both transparent and widely accepted.
“As the Commission, we encourage conversations, discussions, and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life on this matter, as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently. Such national conversation is essential because elections are a public enterprise that belong to all citizens of our country,” he said.
Prior work conducted on e-voting
As part of its commitment to facilitating informed decision-making, Mamabolo said the Commission always had e-voting in its line of sight, with electronic voting discussions having commenced back in 2013.
The Electoral Commission has carried out several investigations into this subject, aiming to learn from the global experiences of countries that have either successfully or unsuccessfully tried to implement e-voting.
It has explored issues such as available technologies, costs, security/reliability, public trust, existing tech infrastructure in SA and policy options, among others.
It has identified the need for thorough public dialogue/discussions on the feasibility/potential benefits and risks.
The IEC has compiled a Discussion Document based on findings from its 2023 research study on electronic voting, which explored prospects and potential challenges for e-voting in SA.
“The way forward for e-voting to be a viable solution [is that] it must be accessible to all South Africans regardless of their location or socio-economic status. That is why our discussions here must be comprehensive, aiming to address all blind spots and ultimately provide fit-for-purpose solutions for all South Africans,” Mamabolo said.
Looking ahead
The IEC has not yet determined whether e-voting will be proposed to Parliament but aims to lead a comprehensive discussion on its feasibility.
To this end, the commission will launch a series of nationwide workshops and public consultations, gathering insights from citizens and stakeholders. Mamabolo said the feedback will be used to refine the Discussion Document, which could eventually inform a National Green Paper on e-voting.
South Africans are encouraged to participate in the conversation through various platforms, including email submissions, social media engagements, and public discussions.
The public can review the discussion document and provide informed commentary to info@elections.org.za. You can also share your views and experiences through the IEC’s social media @IECSouthAfrica using the #SAeVoting2025. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:31
232 views
Commission opens dialogue on viability of electronic voting in SA
The Electoral Commission is expected to start a public conversation about the prospect of electronic voting, or e-voting, during South African elections.
To launch the public debate and discussion on the subject, the commission will host a three-day e-voting conference in Cape Town from 10-12 March 2024.
This conference will serve as a pivotal platform for initiating a public conversation about the possibility of introducing electronic voting sometime in the future.
The conference is based on research commissioned by the Commission and undertaken by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
The research study produced a discussion document which navigates all crucial aspects related to electronic voting and implications for South Africa. The discussion document will be launched at the conference.
The key components of the discussion documents include the following:
• A country review of electronic voting including those countries currently using poll-site technologies as well as those who use internet voting. This includes countries that introduced electronic voting but subsequently abandoned it.
• Key insights from the legislative review indicate that in the event electronic voting is adopted then there would a necessity for legislative amendments.
• Lessons from two roundtables, which were conducted with academics and representatives of blind persons.
• Lessons from key informant interviews that were conducted with civil society organisations and election management bodies.
• Views which were solicited through a public opinion survey.
• An overall outline of the findings of the studies conducted.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the conference will serve as a significant opportunity for South Africans to shape the future of voting in the digital world.
“It is part of the statutory purview of the commission to conduct research with a view to improving the quality of elections. We must investigate new approaches to improve the electoral process, voter experience, accessibility and enable cost savings," Mamabolo said.
“Some of the research findings indicate that there is no common understanding of what e-voting entails. This conference aims not only to reflect on possibilities for implementing e-voting but also to drive common understanding and knowledge of the subject among South Africans.
“We encourage further conversations and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently,” he said.
The conference will bring together political parties, members of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, corporates in the ICT sphere, government officials, research and development institutions.
Representatives of some countries which have implemented electronic voting are also confirmed for participation in this conference. This includes Estonia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Namibia.
Telecommunications and network connectivity service providers will share current and future developments in the digital ecosystem space.
Furthermore, the conference will include an expo where technology companies will display and demonstrate some of the available e-voting technologies and provide participants with a sense of how these technologies can be intuitively operated.
After the launch of the discussion document at the conference, it will be posted on the Electoral Commission digital platforms including on the website. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/05/2025 - 12:34
85 views
Hammaskraal water declared safe for consumption
Drinking water in Hammanskraal has been declared safe for consumption, following concerns over water quality in the area.
In response to the concerns raised in media reports, an urgent meeting was convened by Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, City of Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya, and Magalies Water. The meeting, held last Friday, addressed a temporary water supply disruption that caused brief turbidity in the drinking water.
“The meeting confirmed that the water is now safe to drink. It was agreed that officials from the City and Magalies Water would meet weekly to ensure proper coordination and timeous, and clear communication to the public regarding any water supply disruptions,” the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said in a statement on Saturday.
The department confirmed that Magalies Water experienced a power failure at its Klipdrift Water Treatment Works on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, following a severe storm that damaged the mini-substation supplying electricity to the facility.
The storm caused severe damage to the substation, necessitating the procurement, installation, and commissioning of a new mini-substation.
Magalies Water successfully completed the installation and commissioning process by Saturday, 8 February 2025.
After the electricity supply was restored, the plant was promptly restarted, ensuring the resumption of normal water treatment operations.
Due to downtime of the water treatment plant caused by the damage to the electricity substation, the department noted that the reservoirs and reticulation system were empty and dry for a considerable amount of time.
The downtown affected a number of areas, including Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (Steve Bikoville), Kudube Unit 9, Babelegi Industrial and Bridgeview informal settlement.
The department added that when the system was restarted on 8 February 2025, it took time to recover, and the City of Tshwane and Magalies Water had to conduct testing and flushing of the system to get air out of the supply pipelines.
Water quality in the system is monitored continuously.
However, on 11 February 2025, it was discovered that there was some turbidity in the water, which could have been caused by settled sediments due to the system been dry for a period of time.
The department said all other parameters, apart from turbidity, complied with the South African National Standards (SANS) 241:2015 drinking water quality standard.
“Subsequent tests and further flushing of the distribution system were conducted on 13 February, and the results indicated that there was no non-compliance on any water quality parameters. The water in the system continues to be compliant to SANS 241:2015 and safe for human consumption.
“Magalies Water’s highly advanced ISO/IEC [International Organisation for Standardisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission] 17025:2017 accredited Scientific Services Laboratory and its staff continuously monitor water quality in the system. Rigorous monitoring protocols are implemented and informed by a risk-based approach that adheres to regulatory frameworks,” the department explained.
The City of Tshwane and Magalies Water, supported by Water and Sanitation, will continue to take samples and assess water quality in Hammanskraal, and the City of Tshwane will also continue to provide updates to residents accordingly.
“Residents are advised to avoid relying on misinformation from social media, which is often unverified and to make use of official notifications published by the City of Tshwane,” the department said. -SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 02/17/2025 - 10:01
43 views
My Vote Counts wants all political donations disclosed, no matter how small
Langa township residents receive government services ahead of SONA in Cape Town
Washington Street in Langa, Cape Town, bustled with activity as the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) hosted pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) outreach activities on Monday.
Gazebos, banners, buses and cars lined the streets, as various government departments provided services to the community.
The Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre and the Langa Civic Hall were filled with hundreds of community members.
Some walked, while others took taxis, all eager for essential services, such as applying for identity documents (IDs).
Young people lined up at the Employment and Labour Department’s mobile bus to register on the job seekers' database.
The outreach activities aim to involve all South Africans in the SONA, which will be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 6 February, at 7 pm.
This will be the President’s first SONA as the Head of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in the seventh administration.
Some of the participants were the City of Cape Town officials, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Western Cape Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the Human Rights Commission, Postbank, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC), and the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA).
Acting Director of Public Employment Services, Nokulunga Zazaza, expressed satisfaction in connecting with the community, especially in registering unemployed youth on their database.
The team also offered career counselling to help equip the youth with job hunting and interview skills.
“We also have a programme where we go around to engage with employers and opportunity providers to check if there are opportunities available in their organisation. If they do, they give us the requirements and registration credentials, and we’ll use those to match it with the unemployed who meet the criteria,” she explained.
Although there are Labour Centres located throughout the province, Zazaza stressed that her department aims to connect more closely with local communities.
She expressed a desire for people to secure permanent employment, as most of the companies that reach out to them mostly offer temporary contracts and training services.
“We always want as many people as possible to find employment because our target is unemployed persons, as our department’s focus is employment and labour. We want to do anything that will assist with unemployment.”
Research Officer for the Human Rights Commission, Advocate Tammy Carter, told SAnews that many individuals she encountered in communities were unaware of their rights, even though the country boasts one of the best constitutions in the world.
“One of the primary functions, in terms of the Constitution for the Human Rights Commission, is to promote human rights and human rights culture.
“If people don’t even know their rights, how are they going to even assert those rights?
“For us, it’s important to be invited to events like this, so that we can educate people about their rights.”
She said Chapter 9 bodies had been created to support democracy by being enforcers of human rights.
Most of the people she has been attending to have been raising issues about education, access to water and sanitation, environmental concerns such as littering, which seems to be a big deal in Langa, and access to services such as SASSA and Home Affairs.
“People in Langa have to travel to Athlone to access these services and it costs them a lot of money,” Carter said, adding that was important for the Chapter 9 institutions to come together to help these communities.
Customer Care Assistant from the Western Social Development Department, Siphosihle Qingana, said together with his colleague, he has been providing information about their services since this morning.
These include childcare protection programmes, support for the elderly, substance abuse assistance, and registration of non-profit organisations (NPOs).
“People need help or advice about child protection. Some children don’t have birth certificates. Other people were seeking funding for their NPOs and asking about registering NPOs,” Qingana told SAnews.
Ministries and departments will continue to hold various public engagement activities for the remainder of the week.
According to the GCIS, these events aim to encourage South Africans to familiarise themselves with the content of SONA, enabling them to contribute to discussions and proposals for economic growth and development.
South Africans are encouraged to tune it and participate in this important national milestone. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 02/03/2025 - 15:16
Water and Sanitation updates on progress to deliver water to Hammanskraal residents
The Department of Water and Sanitation, the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Tshwane and Magalies Water are continuing to work together to address the water situation in Hammanskraal.
The department said this in a joint statement to update the public on progress to date to deliver water to the residents of Hammanskraal.
“The progress being made is a testament to the importance of effective cooperation between various spheres of government, working together to resolve service delivery challenges,” the department said.
In October 2024, Magalies Water, in collaboration with the City of Tshwane, successfully completed the first phase of the water treatment project, which comprises an advanced facility equipped with four package plants. This was a directive by the Minister of Water and Sanitation to ensure the supply of clean water to the Hammanskraal community.
“Thus far, significant efforts have been made in consistent pursuit to deliver potable water, including the flushing of the reticulation system, optimisation of the entire system and monitoring of the water quality. The main aim is to ensure that the water is compliant with the SANS [South African National Standards] 241 specifications,” the department said.
Phase one
The first phase of the project has been completed, meaning that at least 12.5 megalitres per day (ML/d) of treated water will be supplied to various regions in Hammanskraal.
These regions are situated within wards 49, 73, 74, and 75, specifically Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (also referred to as Steve Bikoville) respectively, along with Babelegi Industrial.
“It is essential that we carefully explore balancing the need for uninterrupted water supply and system optimisation with the quest to fully restore the system and its integrity,” the department said.
Teams from Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane recently pursued the inspection and purging of the reticulation system, which was previously supplied by the Temba Water Works, using water sourced from the new Klipdrift Package Plant, with the aim of ensuring that the system is fully rehabilitated and disinfected.
This was followed by frequent monitoring of water quality in the reticulation network and the results show that there is significant improvement in the water quality.
In recognition of the diligent and thorough efforts made by all parties involved, the department said residents need to be aware of the significant progress that has been achieved since last week, following the initial release of water from the Klipdrift Package Plant.
The following milestones have been reached:
• The Klipdrift Package Plant continues to supply the City of Tshwane with projected volumes of approximately 12.5 ML/day.
• The water provided by the Klipdrift Package Plant meets the minimum standard requirements for drinking water in South Africa, as specified in SANS 241: 2015, as verified by a laboratory accredited by ISO/IEC 17025.
• The Babelegi Reservoir, which services the areas mentioned above, has consistently received and distributed water that complies with SANS 241:2015 at all relevant times.
From 23 December 2024 to date, the water in all the affected areas has been in full compliance with four critical indices outlined in SANS 241:2015, i.e. Acute Health I & II, Chronic Health, and Aesthetic. Currently, a limited number of areas are receiving focused attention due to operational challenges associated with turbidity (a measure of how cloudy or hazy a fluid is due to the presence of particles that are usually too small to see with the naked eye).
Based on the turbidity challenges, the department said Magalies Water and the City of Tshwane will continue to flush the system and monitor the water quality to clear the turbidity in the reticulation network.
This is aimed at ensuring that the water quality is compliant with SANS 241 specifications.
The department said a formal notification will be issued by the City of Tshwane in the near future after operational compliance targets have been achieved.
“Once the water supplied has been eliminated of turbidity, the City of Tshwane will issue a formal notification to the community that the water is safe for human consumption,” the department said.
The department further reminded all residents that South Africa is a water-scarce country.
“Let us use this precious resource sparingly and effectively implement water conservation initiatives. Each drop counts,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Fri, 01/03/2025 - 10:54
Cabinet approves establishment of IMC for 2026 Municipal Elections
Cabinet has approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) that will oversee preparations for the 2026/27 Local Government Elections.
“With the previous Local Government Elections having been held on 1 November 2021, the next Municipal Elections will be held between 2 November 2026 and 1 February 2027,” Minister in The Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Wednesday in Cape Town.
Ntshavheni was briefing members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 November 2024.
The IMC will be convened by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It consists of several government departments that are key to ensuring the delivery of successful elections.
At its recent meeting, Cabinet also considered and approved the formulae for the determination of the number of councillors in terms of Section 20 (1) (a) of the Municipal Structures Act.
“The 2026 Municipal Elections will be the sixth such elections since the advent of democracy in 1994. The IMC will work with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and other relevant bodies towards ensuring that the process leading to the local government is smooth and peaceful,” Ntshavheni said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 11/13/2024 - 15:23
Submissions sought on reform of the electoral system
The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel has extended its call for submissions from the public and organisations (including political parties or prospective independent candidates) on the reform of the electoral system for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures to 31 October 2024.
Section 23 of the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023 provided for the establishment of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel (ERCP) “to independently investigate, consult on, report on and make recommendations in respect of potential reforms of the electoral system for the election of the National Assembly and the election of the Provincial Legislatures, in respect of the elections to be held after the 2024 Elections”.
These recommendations are for the 2029 National and Provincial Elections.
South Africa’s electoral system for National and Provincial Elections is derived from the Electoral Act of 1998, as recently amended by the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023, to allow for the inclusion of independent candidates.
Successive South African elections since 1994 have used a party list proportional representation electoral system, in terms of which members of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures are elected from the lists submitted by political parties to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
The National Assembly in May 2024 approved the appointment of nine experts in the fields of academia, law, governance and election administration to undertake the process of consultation and produce a report with recommendations of possible electoral systems by 31 May 2025.
The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel has adopted an initial six guiding principles for evaluating proposed electoral systems for South Africa.
These principles draw on the country’s founding values set out in section 1 of the Constitution to establish a multi-party system of democratic government, based on accountability, responsiveness and openness to uphold values of human dignity, non-racialism, non-sexism, and the achievement of equality.
The six guiding principles are: inclusivity, fairness, accountability, simplicity, electoral manageability and transparency.
“As part of its function to consult and its duty to conduct a public participation process on its work, the ERCP hereby invites members of the public to make written submissions for its consideration,” the panel said in a statement.
The panel will also hold extensive public consultations, which will later lead up to the production of a report, which must be submitted to the Minister of Home Affairs by 31 May 2025 and be tabled before Parliament within 30 days for its consideration.
“The ERCP respectfully calls and requests members of the public, as individuals or through organisations to which they belong, to make submissions on why, how and whether the current South African electoral system should be reformed, changed or even replaced with another one,” the panel said.
The period for written submissions has been extended to 31 October 2024.
All the submissions should be addressed to Advocate Richard K Sizani, the Chairperson of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel and may be forwarded in any of the following ways:
1. Delivered by hand to House 1, Ministry of Home Affairs, 909 Arcadia Street, Hatfield, Pretoria.
2. Delivered by hand to the nearest Home Affairs office.
3. Mailed to Electoral Reform Consultation Panel at Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001.
4. Emailed to ERCP@dha.gov.za.
The public may follow the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel on social media on the following handles:
https://x.com/Electoral_RCP and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564445482964.
Any enquiries should be directed to:
Adv. Richard K Sizani
Chairperson of the Electoral Reform Consultation Panel
Cellphone number 082 904 9907. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 09:59
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has unanimously resolved that a proposed draft motion in respect to regulations governing the maximum amount of a donation that can be accepted and the threshold amount of donations that must be disclosed must undergo a public participation process to ensure that it is reflective of the will and views of the people.
The draft motion tried to remedy a lacuna in the Electoral Matters Amendment Act of 2014 as confirmed by the Western Cape High Court judgement in the matter of My Vote Counts NPC v The President and others. In making the decision, the committee highlighted the importance of public participation in line with Section 59 (1) of the constitution that compels the National Assembly to facilitate public involvement in its processes.
The draft motion proposes that, in terms of section 24 of the Act, the President as soon as reasonably possible, makes regulations regarding the amounts contemplated in section 8(2) and 9(1)(a) of the Act in accordance with the process set out in that Act, and that the President in that regard considers amounts set by items 7 and 9 of Schedule 2 to the Act prior to its amendment by the Electoral Matters Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 14 of 2024), namely:
(i) the amount referred to in section 8(2) (upper limit of donations) being fifteen million rand in a financial year; and
(ii) the amount referred to in section 9(1)(a) (disclosure limit) of the Act being one hundred thousand rand in a financial year.
The committee will in due course communicate avenues that the public can contribute comments to the draft motion.
Meanwhile, the committee adopted a report on the draft notice determining the remuneration of Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years in line with the Determination of Remuneration of Office-Bearers of Independent Constitutional Institutions Laws Amendment Act of 2014.
The committee concurred with the President's determination on the remuneration adjustment of IEC Commissioners, that a retrospective salary increases of 3% be implemented for the 2023/24 financial year and 2.5% for the 2024/25 financial year for the Chairperson and other full-time Commissioners.
The committee will recommend to the National Assembly to approve the notice determining the remuneration of the Commissioners of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
Furthermore, the committee received a presentation from Parliament's Public Education Office on their plans to ensure a rigorous public participation process on the Marriage Bill [B43 – 2023]. The committee intends on undertaking a comprehensive public participation process and the presentation laid a framework that will be followed to ensure that the public participation process that will be undertaken will be inclusive and meaningful.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Demarcation Board embarks on ward delimitation process consultations
In a deliberate effort to enhance understanding of demarcation processes, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) is conducting consultations to educate stakeholders about the ward delimitation process.
According to the MDB, these consultations are held in all municipalities, targeting traditional leadership, ward councillors, ward committees, municipal officials, and other stakeholders.
Every five years, the MDB delimit wards preceding the Local Government Elections (LGE) in compliance with the Municipal Structures Act (MSA) 117 of 1998, as amended.
“The next LGE will be held in 2026. The plan is to hand over the final wards to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) towards the end of 2025.
“It should be noted that over the years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of voters resulting in a proportional increase in the number of wards in municipalities. Consequently, this results in a change in the configuration of wards in municipalities,” the MDB explained.
Wards are delimited by the MDB and entail the division of the whole geographic area of a municipality into smaller geographic areas, called wards.
According to the organisation, Schedule 1 of the MSA provides for certain procedures and criteria to which the MDB must comply.
The MDB must, amongst others, ensure that all wards in a municipality have approximately the same number of voters.
The number of registered voters in each ward, may not vary by more than 15% from the norm.
The norm is determined by dividing the total number of registered voters on the municipality’s segment of the national common voters roll by the number of wards in the municipality.
In a municipality with 30 000 voters and 10 wards, the average number of voters per ward would be 3 000. A variation of 15% can be added or deducted, resulting in a range of 2 550 to 3 450 voters per ward in this municipality.
The organisation said the education and awareness drive commenced in July 2024 to allow stakeholders sufficient time to understand the process and be able to participate effectively during the ward delimitation process and make informed inputs.
The agency will now embark on the nationwide public consultations to be conducted for the same purpose.
“Once the draft wards are drawn, intensive community consultations will be rolled out to obtain public views before the process is finalised.”
This process is expected to take place between March and April 2025.
Although, the consultations by way of public meetings are not legislated as per the MSA, it will be conducted to reflect MDBs resolve to enhance its public engagement processes.
“The MDB remains committed to driving meaningful public consultations and that all affected communities are empowered to actively participate in demarcation processes.
“This will enable them to make informed decisions that will enhance spatial democracy, access to economic opportunities and efficient delivery of services,” said Chairperson of the Board, Thabo Manyoni. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Tue, 09/10/2024 - 11:09
IEC publishes political funding disclosure report
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has published the first quarter Political Funding Disclosure Report for the financial year 2024/25.
The report covers the period of 1 April to 30 June 2024.
It is the first report since the inauguration of the seventh parliament and administration following the successful hosting of free and fair 2024 national and provincial elections on 29 May 2024.
The commission in a statement on Monday lauded the political parties who made declarations in the reporting period even though there was no legal basis to do so.
“This act is indicative of these parties’ commitment to transparency in the management of their financial affairs. This can only bode well for electoral democracy in the country.
“Furthermore, the Commission wishes to ask the National Assembly to expeditiously finalise its processes and take a resolution on the thresholds in order for the President to gazette so that the lacuna in the regulations can be ameliorated.”
During this quarter, political parties declared a cumulative amount of nearly R200 000 000. The value of first quarter 2024/25 donation disclosure is comparable to the value of donations declared during the fourth quarter of the past financial year.
“Totalling a colossal R189 950 829, this is by far the highest value of donations across all years and quarters since the introduction of the Political Funding Act, as amended. Once again, a positive correlation between the value of donations declared and the election season are demonstrated,” said the commission.
A total of 14 political parties declared donations during the first quarter of the year. These are:
1. ActionSA – R13 186 000
2. African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) – R240 000
3. African National Congress (ANC) – R26 015 313
4. Build One South Africa (BOSA) – R12 877 709
5. Change Starts Now – R150 000
6. Democratic Alliance (DA) – R56 601 039
7. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – R515 313
8. GOOD – R600 000
9. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) – R38 340 000
10. Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ISANCO) – R100 000
11. Patriotic Alliance (PA) – R6 649 900
12. Rise Mzansi – R33 895 000
13. South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) – R400 000
14. uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) – R380 555
“While there were few first-time donors during the reporting quarter, a significant number of donors were repeat donors. Furthermore, many of the repeat donors made significant donations across several political parties, targeting mainly new or recently established political parties.” – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 09/03/2024 - 09:51
African Export-Import Bank's (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) first African Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC), implemented in Ogun State, Nigeria, in partnership with Bureau Veritas (BV) has been awarded the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), one of the key accreditation bodies in Africa responsible for carrying out conformity assessments as mandated under South Africa's Accreditation for Conformity Assessment, Calibration and Good Laboratory Practice Act (Act 19 of 2006).
ISO/IEC 17025 is the recognised international standard for testing and calibration laboratories and sets out requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of testing and calibration results. The standard enhances the credibility of testing and calibration work by laboratories, by fostering trust among clients and regulatory authorities. Compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 demonstrates a laboratory's commitment to quality, technical proficiency and scientific rigour.
Commenting on the accreditation, Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director Export Development at Afreximbank said that the accreditation served to validate AQAC's capabilities and expertise and would provide new opportunities to expand the centre's reach.
“By aligning its practices with international standards and best practices, AQAC is well-positioned to attract new clients, foster partnerships with industry stakeholders, and contribute to the advancement of quality assurance practices in Africa,” said Ms. Doherty.
“The impact of this accreditation extends beyond the laboratory as it also contributes to the overall advancement of quality assurance practices in Nigeria. By demonstrating compliance with international standards and best practices, AQAC will help in reducing the rejection rates for Nigerian and African exports,” she said, mentioning that the Bank has committed up to US$100 million to support the development of new AQACs across the continent, with projects being considered in Benin, Chad, Gabon, Kenya and Tanzania.
Jean-Michel Perret, Managing Director, Bureau Veritas Nigeria said, “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the ISO 17025 accreditation for the African Quality Assurance Centre. This milestone reflects our steadfast commitment to providing the highest standards of testing and inspection services. It also demonstrates our dedication to supporting Nigeria's AgroFood industry in meeting international quality benchmarks, thereby facilitating greater access to global markets for ‘Made in Africa' products.”
The accreditation by SANAS amplifies AQAC's ability to offer internationally accredited services for food and agri products and paves the way for a more reliable and robust testing environment in Africa.
SANAS is a signatory to the International Accreditation Forum which gives it world-wide recognition as a competent body for carrying out independent evaluation of certification bodies against recognized standards. It is also a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangements, the African Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangements and the SADCA Mutual Recognition Arrangements, for specific scopes.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
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Vincent Musumba
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Communication and Events (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com
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Seseselelo Matlapeng
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa's trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank's total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody's (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, "the Group"). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com
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IEC confirms attempted unauthorised entry at its Gauteng warehouse
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed an incident of attempted unauthorised entry at its Gauteng provincial warehouse by unknown persons on Tuesday night.
The Electoral Commission expands its footprint of storage sites ahead of each election to ensure the storage of electoral supplies as close as possible to points of use.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, material is rolled back for storage and safekeeping at a centralised facility.
During the roll back of material from a local storage site in the inner city in the City of Johannesburg, a group of persons interfered with the handling of materials and subsequently followed the truck used to transport the material back to the provincial warehouse.
On arrival at the warehouse, the group attempted to forcefully gain unauthorised entry to the warehouse.
“The commission can confirm that nothing was taken from the warehouse,” the Commission said in a statement.
The Electoral Commission thanked the South African Police Service for their swift response, which ensured the safety of the staff of the Commission and the integrity of the stored materials.
A case has been registered and the South African Police Services are investigating. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 06/20/2024 - 10:43
IEC clears results dashboard confusion
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has moved to clear any confusion regarding its results dashboard update related to the National and Provincial Elections held last month.
“The Electoral Commission notes the conversation and some confusion with the update of the Elections Dashboard last week to reflect the total number of votes from the two National Assembly ballots and final seat allocation (out of 400 seats) for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections,” the electoral body said.
The electoral body explained that the change to the results dashboard is done to ensure that the “regional strength” of political parties is taken into account.
“In the 2024 elections, registered voters received two ballots for the National Assembly elections: 1 National ballot and 1 Regional ballot. [The] 3rd election ballot was for the provincial elections. Just over 16 million registered voters voted, casting some 31.92 million ballots across the 9 regional and 1 national ballot.
“The Electoral Act prescribes that for the calculation of compensatory seats, both national compensatory (N) ballots and regional (R) ballots are taken into account. Hence the demotion of N + R on the results dashboard.
“This is done to ensure that the allocation of compensatory seats take into account the regional strength of all political parties - thus, meeting the proportional representation in general demanded by the constitution,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 06/18/2024 - 09:54
MP, MPLs lists handed over to Parliament Secretary
Secretary of Parliament, Xolile George, has now officially received the list of elected representatives who will make up the National Assembly for South Africa’s seventh Parliament.
George received the list from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in a handover ceremony held at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Earlier in the ceremony, Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) chairperson Mosotho Moepya handed over that list and another list of those expected to serve in the Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice.
“As South Africans, we have again demonstrated to the world, that despite the numerous global and domestic challenges that we face, we are steadfast in maintaining the integrity of our Constitution and our commitment to our growing democracy through, again, conducting peaceful and efficient elections.
“This is a track record that all South Africans should be proud of. South Africa's young democracy shines as a beacon of hope, not just for our nation, but for all those who believe in the power of the people to shape their own destiny through free and fair elections.
“This is indeed a historic moment in the maturity of our democracy, where political parties are compelled to work together to establish a government and a Parliament that represents the will and aspirations of the people,” George said.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said the handover of the lists from the IEC to the Chief Justice and in turn to the Secretary of Parliament “marks an important milestone in our Constitutional democracy”.
“Now that the list is here, one knows who will be members of Parliament who will convene on the first day of the sitting. The announcement of the date for the first sitting of Parliament will be the next step. That…will be announced by the Chief Justice and I think it’s going to happen pretty soon.
“The judiciary will play its role to make sure that our Constitutional democracy runs as smoothly as it should,” Zondo said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Thu, 06/06/2024 - 17:26
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini applauds credible elections
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has applauded the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for ensuring that the elections were free, fair and credible.
“His Majesty commends all political parties for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during the campaign and on Election Day,” Traditional Prime Minister to the Zulu Nation and Monarch Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi said in a statement on Monday.
South Africans went to the polls on 29 May 2024 in the seventh democratic elections. A total of 16 248 027 citizens exercised their Constitutional right to vote.
The elections were declared free and fair by the Electoral Commission in a ceremony held to announce the official election results on Sunday.
The King called upon law enforcement agencies to deal firmly with those who seek to cause “instability and mayhem” in the aftermath of the election results.
“His Majesty instructs all izinduna in hostels around Gauteng and Durban to report any attempts aimed at instigating violence, instability and lawlessness.
“His Majesty is confident that all political leaders will commit themselves to respect the outcomes of the elections and to play their part in promoting peace, development, and stability,” Buthelezi said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 09:44
SACCI welcomes outcome of the 2024 elections
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has welcomed the outcome of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections held last week.
SACCI said the outcome of the vote reflects the will of the people.
“We congratulate South Africans who filed in the long queues to make their voices heard and did so in an orderly and peaceful manner. Our democracy is indeed a vibrant one with free political contestation and multi-party contestation,” SACCI said in a statement.
It also commended the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which, despite challenges, continues to execute its mandate with credibility.
SACCI said it is looking forward to working with the new administration.
“Given the lack of an outright majority party to lead South Africa, we call on all the political parties to prioritise the interests of the people of South Africa first in putting together a coalition that will take the country forward. Foremost should be the alleviation of high levels of unemployment, building a meritocracy and sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and ridding the state and the private sector of corruption.
“Political stability and policy certainty are the fundamental hallmarks that will drive business and investor sentiment. Political parties have an opportunity to unite South Africa for the better development of the republic and the continent,” SACCI said.
It added that there are a number of successful developed countries that are run by coalition governments from whom “we can learn in managing the instability problems, inherent in coalitions”. - SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 11:36
Parliament, Provincial Legislatures lists to be handed over to Chief Justice Zondo
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is expected to receive the name lists of Members of the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures on Thursday.
This after the National and Provincial Elections were held and the results declared by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) last week.
READ | Sun sets on 2024 elections
“It is an established practice in South Africa that after the announcement by the IEC of the results of the National and Provincial Elections, the IEC hands over the lists of Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures to the Chief Justice who then hands them over to the Secretary to Parliament.
“In line with this practice, Chief Justice R M M Zondo will on 06 June 2024 officially receive from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission the lists of designated Members of Parliament (MPs) and members of Provincial Legislatures,” the Office of the Chief Justice said in a statement.
The office said following that, the Chief Justice is expected to hand over the National Assembly lists to Parliament’s secretary “in preparation for the first sitting of the National Assembly”.
READ | Plans underway for establishment of the seventh democratic Parliament
“The Chief Justice also transmits the lists of designated members of the Provincial Legislatures to the designated Judges President who will preside over the first sittings of the Provincial Legislatures,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Tue, 06/04/2024 - 09:24
Government welcomes conclusion of elections
Government has welcomed the successful conclusion of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, which ushers in the seventh democratic administration in the 30 years of South Africa’s freedom and democracy.
“These elections stand as testament to our vibrant and dynamic constitutional democracy and affirms our faith and confidence in our open democratic processes,” the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said on Monday.
Government thanked the 16 248 027 citizens who exercised their Constitutional right as well as civic duty to cast their ballots with “admirable patience, tolerance and enthusiasm”.
According to the Electoral Commission (IEC), the voter turnout for these elections was at 58.58%.
“This marks a watershed feat in the journey of our inclusive and participatory democracy as espoused by the Electoral Amendment Act 1 of 2023.
“The completion of this rigorous electoral process that comprised multiple milestones, from voter registration to actual voting and ultimately the vote counting as well as official announcement of the outcome of the election by the Electoral Commission of South Africa signals a formal end to the elections.
“The ‘snaking’ queues that characterised Voting Day across the length and breadth of our beloved country were demonstrative of a proud nation and a responsible citizenry, reminiscent of our first democratic elections,” GCIS said.
Government also congratulated the IEC for once again concluding a peaceful, free and fair election.
“The IEC is applauded for its transparency throughout the counting, verification, capturing and auditing process, which alleviated transgressions in the election outcomes.
“For the first time, South Africans had multiple options at the ballot with 70 political parties contesting the elections, 11 independent candidates and 52 national contestants. In total, there were over 14 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the National and Provincial Legislatures,” GCIS said.
Since the dispensation of freedom and democracy in 1994, South Africa has now held seven successive free and fair democratic elections.
“We welcome the declaration by various domestic and international observers affirming the 2024 elections as free and fair which serves as a vote of confidence in the integrity as well as credibility of the country’s electoral processes.
“The elections were encouragingly competitive and contested in a remarkable spirit of political maturity and tolerance. Government congratulates all political parties and wishes them well in their upcoming term of public office.
“Government acknowledges the valuable contributions of citizens, community leaders, election officials, volunteers and various government departments who played a pivotal part in the successful conclusion of the elections. We also commend our law enforcement agencies who worked diligently to ensure that these elections took place in a peaceful, nonviolent, and safe environment,” GCIS said.
It appealed to citizens to respect the authority of the IEC and all empowering provisions to execute its mandate.
“The elections results have been officially declared free and fair. We move forward to ensure a peaceful and stable South Africa. Any attempt to undermine the authority of the State and South Africa’s constitutional order will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” GCIS said.
GCIS Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa said the elections were another milestone for South Africa as the country celebrates 30 years of freedom and democracy.
“This reinforces our dedication to adhering to democratic electoral processes. Government extends its appreciation to all stakeholders who made it possible for the country to conduct elections in a secure environment,” Mnukwa said.
The public has been urged to refrain from sharing information in any form of pictures, audios or videos that perpetuate misinformation and disinformation or seek to incite any form of violence.
“Our law enforcement agencies continue to be deployed across the country to ensure that peace and safety prevails post the elections.
“The Chief Justice has already gazetted the rules for the first sitting of the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and Provincial Legislatures, of which the date should be confirmed within 14 days after the elections results are declared.
“When the first sitting of Parliament takes place, the Chief Justice first presides over the process of electing the Office Bearers of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces,” GCIS said.
Government reiterated its dedication to continue providing services to its citizens while awaiting the finalisation of the smooth Parliamentary transition. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:25
Glitches and slow queues need to be seen in light of IEC’s budget cuts