KZN IEC official injured after object hurled at her

5 August 2016

Durban – A KwaZulu-Natal IEC official who was investigating discarded ballot boxes in Lamontville, south of Durban, was injured after an object was thrown at her, the IEC said on Friday.

"A projectile was thrown at her on Thursday and caused her injuries. We are not too worried about the extent of the injuries she suffered. She was not hospitalised. We, however, regret the experience. Police were present, [we are] hoping they will follow up on the matter,” IEC KwaZulu-Natal head Mawethu Mosery said.

Mosery said no arrests had been made.

The IEC and police visited a recycling centre in Lamontville on Thursday after receiving complaints about discarded ballot boxes. However, Mosery on Thursday told journalists that the ballot boxes were part of the normal disposal process of the boxes. He said all ballots were accounted for.

Mosery said the object was thrown after angry community members approached the official.

"In Lamontville, an independent was contesting. The supporters of the independent candidate gathered to ascertain what had happened with the boxes.

"The independent did not win the ward. They were thinking that there might be an irregular act by staff members at the recycling centre. They did not take the news of not winning very well. When our official was explaining the process, the object was thrown. We are not sure what was the intention of the thrower."

Turnout 'extremely good'

According to Mosery, counting and capturing of votes in KwaZulu-Natal and the eThekwini Metro were close to completion. He said 96 voting station results were outstanding in the province, 69 of which were from eThekwini. He added that the IEC was 92% complete with results from eThekwini.

Mosery said that, of the 44 municipalities in the province, 35 were completed and declared. He added that counting would be completed on Friday.

The latest preliminary IEC figures indicated that the ANC had taken 592 seats, the IFP 325 and the DA 68.

Mosery said that, of the 5.4 million registered voters in the province, three million had headed to the polls and successfully made their mark, despite inclement weather on Wednesday.

"We will confirm the final figure when we complete outstanding results in the province."

Mosery added that a turnout of more than 60% was "extremely good".

"It shows we have done well as people of KZN in terms of this election. It would be an increase from 2011, of about 6%. Thank you to voters of KZN and those who were encouraged and motivated to vote."

Mosery said security officials were monitoring celebration gatherings.

"There are a number of celebrations all over the province that police are managing."

This article first appeared on News24, see here.