The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is currently on the lookout for a ballot box that went missing in KwaZulu-Natal. The disappearance occurred while the ballot box was being transported from a voting station at Matamzana Dube School, located in VD 43412767, KZN282, Umhlathuze in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality.
Addressing the media at a press briefing at the National Results Operational Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Thursday, IEC General Manager Granville Abrahams disclosed that the ballot box was transported in an open bakkie.
The ballot box contained votes that had already been counted and recorded on the results slip. Abrahams emphasized the importance of retrieving the ballot box because the commission is required to retain ballot boxes for a period of six months before disposing of them.
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IEC officials are keen to ensure the safe return of the missing ballot box so that it can be placed in storage as per regulatory requirements. The disappearance has prompted an investigation, and the commission is hopeful for a swift resolution.
In parallel with the search for the missing ballot box, law enforcement agencies have been active in addressing various election-related crimes.
According to National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Chairperson, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, police have arrested at least 50 individuals for crimes such as malicious damage to property, theft of political party posters, destruction of electoral material, assaulting electoral officials, and intimidation. Since Monday, 98 cases of contravention of the Electoral Act have been opened.
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