19:36
And here is the Snapstory we promised!
Our reporter Shandukani Mulaudzi took to the voting stations today to find out who the citizens of South Africa were voting for. Armed with a smartphone, Snapchat and her wits, Shandukani got the DA’s mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba and former president Thabo Mbeki to utilise Snapchat’s popular filters to send a message, specifically, to the youth of South Africa.
Voting stations have closed their doors, but voting will continue until all those inside the stations have voted.
Voting stations have closed their doors. Tx for voting in #2016MunicipalElections SA! Voters inside stations will still be able to vote.
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) August 3, 2016
17:07
After he had voted Mbeki said that 'these elections were a good sign'. Read the full report by Hlengiwe Nhlabathi
16:57
Also in Cape Town, some voters were bitterly disappointed when they arrived at the booth only to find out that the ANC was not contesting that ward.
Funny thing happened as I was voting:
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) August 3, 2016
Lady next to my booth asks out loud: "Hayi bo iphi i-ANC?"
There was no ANC candidate on the ballot.
An ANC voter drove from Durban to vote ANC in Parklands (Ward 107, CPT), the ANC did not register a ward candidate. Unimpressed. @City_Press
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) August 3, 2016
16:50 Cape Town update
Our reporter Andisiwe Makinana toured some of the voting stations around Cape Town this morning. In Langa at 12.15pm only 356 people had voted, while at the Philippi Sports Complex only 500 of the 1713 registered voters turned up. In Khayelitsha (Ward 90) 1200 of the 2918 voted by 2.25pm.
This is the longest queue I've seen in the Cape Flats so far. This is a voting station in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plein. pic.twitter.com/Qw1hzlGClH
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) August 3, 2016
Only 500 people have voted at the Philippi Sports Complex so far. 1713 people are registered at this voting station. pic.twitter.com/fW7eXNaB3K
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) August 3, 2016
16:35
This morning Mmusi Maimane was asked if he went to meet with former president Thabo Mbeki, like the EFF did earlier this week. Maimane said that he had met Mbeki on several occasions but did not feel the need to make a "media stunt" out of it. Here is the full video from S’thembile Cele
16:13
In Melville, Johannesburg, residents were fuming when ID scanners failed to work. This resulted in voting being delayed. This annoyed voters who had queued from 5.30am to cast their vote. Absalam Malatji reports
16:03
Earlier the ANC confirmed that two voters had died at voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape. The IEC confirmed that one of the voters had died of natural causes but would not say how the other voter had died.
The ANC also confirmed that a party volunteer had died in Struisbaai, Western Cape. There was no indication of how the volunteer died.
MT @SthembileCel: ANC offers its condolences to the families of two voters who have passed away at voting stations in KZN & Northern Cape
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @SthembileCel: #ElectionDay ANC: Also send our sympathies to family of an ANC volunteer who passed away at a voting station in Struisbaai
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
16:01
In Vuwani there was a low voter turnout as residents opted to play soccer instead. Read all about it
15:56
We asked Thabo Mbeki and Winnie Mandela to give us their messages to the youth of South Africa this election day. And of course we did it via Snapchat! Video by Shandukani Mulaudzi (@ShanduMul)
15:37
At Franklin D Roosevelt Primary School in Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg, citizens were queuing from 7.15am and waited almost an hour and a half to vote. By the afternoon the queue had calmed down, with about 20 people waiting in line. Alison Visser took this picture - and five minutes to vote.
The "queue" at FDR Primary in Roosevelt park this afternoon. The process was quick and #LGE2016 IEC staff were great pic.twitter.com/kvS8hfcAgd
— Alison Visser (@scribblingal) August 3, 2016
15:29
Check out our roving reporter Shandukani Mulaudzi covering the elections on Snapchat. Follow her @ShanduMul. Here's taste of what you can expect
MT @ShanduMul: Also covering citizens standing in line. #LGE2016 pic.twitter.com/VxOVo8Qdnb
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
15:02
In the "Windy City" (Nelson Mandela Bay) voters had to experience cold, rainy weather as they made their democratic mark. Portable toilets were overpowered by the strong wind and the DA desk outside the Veeplaas United Congregation Church had its covering broken. Lubabalo Ngcukana took these pictures
14:54
Winnie Mandela was accompanied by Paul Mashatile and AKA as she took to the Orlando West High School voting station.
14:32
Voter "hijacking": Police had to intervene as a war of words broke out this morning between ANC and UDM supporters in ward 30 – one of the most hotly contested in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Our reporter Lubabalo Ngcukana has this report for us
14:30
Maimane has warned that he has an “entire legal fraternity” waiting to act should the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) fail to conduct free and fair elections.
14:08
Dikeledi Sibanda, a resident of Katlehong took this picture at the gate of the voting station at Alafang High School. The women pictured had registration lists and were helping voters find out if they were voting at the correct station. They also urged people to vote for the ANC.
After casting his vote Mbeki walked around the polling station greeting citizens. Mbeki said he has been troubled by the political killings. He said that South Africa needed to set an example for free and fair elections for the rest of the continent. The former president also did not say who he voted for, emphasising the need for a secret ballot. "I raised importance of keeping votes secret to ensure people vote freely with their conscience and don't feel intimidated"
Mbeki walks up to greet elderly queuing here to vote #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/zFCYNSvJsM
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Mbeki: it's important for people to vote with the conscience and not feel intimidated #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Mbeki says SA has lot to learn from others in continent but also that WE must set an example by ensuring free, fair elections #LGE2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Mbeki says killing of councillor candidates has been troubling him. "It's been very very disturbing" #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
13:17
Vuwani update: Our man on the ground Poloko Tau says that it is still hostile in Vuwani but no violence to report of yet. Here is his summary:
It is still hostile. Residents have started playing football in silent boycott of elections. Elsewhere in the area very few people were trickling in to vote. Just went to one voting station in Matsila Village where only 22 people have voted by midday.
Read the reason why residents chose to play soccer instead of voting
12:40
Former president Thabo Mbeki took a stroll to the Holy Family College where he cast his vote. DA members who pitched a tent outside the voting station shouted at him as walked past to "vote wisely!".
Mbeki walked from home to cast his vote at Holy Family Colleague. #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/jRoCBuCrgt
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
MT @Hlengi: Mbeki casting his vote. Earlier DA members outside shouted "vote wisely!" as he went in #LGE2016 pic.twitter.com/0TQAcWgOoX
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
Mbeki casting his vote into ballot box #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/lKuBnNB5K8
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
12:27
Earlier S'thembile Cele was in Tshwane where Mmusi Maimane was alongside Solly Msimanga. Read here why the DA leader told voters to vote DA even if they were not members of the party.
12:22
The young man who yelled at Motlanthe was subsequently thrown out of the voting station
Motlanthe will wait his turn in queue. The young man been thrown out of the voting station. Approximately another 30min wait #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
12:04
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe was speaking to journalists earlier when a young man shouted "How do you sleep at night?". Motlanthe told journalists that "it's part of his democratic right. It's his opinion; we can only respect that right".
A young man here interrupted Motlanthe as he spoke to journalists shouting "How do you sleep at night" #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Motlanthe was telling journalists about how important a day it is today when the young man started yelling #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Asked about incident, Motlanthe says "It's part of his democratic right. it's his opinion, we can only respect that right" #LGE2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
11:36
Queues at Killarney seem to be getting longer as the morning stretches on. While in Randeor Primary, where mayor Parks Tau is expected to vote, more than 500 people have already cast their vote.
MT @Hlengi: Queue has trippled since my arrival at 9am at Killarney Country Club. Motlanthe in queue #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/fBVN2i9wgA
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @setumostone: #LGE2016 More than 500 had cast their vote by 11am at Randeor Primary, Parks Tau voting ward pic.twitter.com/Hgse9JWZa3
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
11:31
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe arrives at the Killarney Country Club surrounded by a host of body guards. He was welcomed by ANC Gauteng secretary Hope Papo and mayor Parks Tau. Motlanthe and wife Gugu decided to stand in the queue even after they were offered to enter the voting station by the presiding officer.
Motlanthe's motorcade arrived precisely at 11am. Mbeki to arrive at noon #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/7SvuCDBsuz
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Motlanthe welcomed by Tau and Papo here at Killarney where he& wife Gugu will be casting their votes #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/ITTtYz3BKG
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Motlanthe & wife right at the back of a queue. Refused, for now, offer by preciding officer to go in #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/lPfGqEp1wW
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
11:13
Mayor of Johannesburg, Parks Tau is expected to vote at the Randeor Primary School voting station. Outside the voting station EFF agents can be seen along with DA and ANC agents.
MT @setumostone: #LGE2016 Outside Randeor Primary School where Parks Tau is expected to vote pic.twitter.com/KdvoKykIfw
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
11:04 CORRECTION
Motlanthe is expected to vote first then Mbeki will vote at 12pm.
Told Motlanthe will in fact be the first to arrive at 11am, followed by Mbeki at noon #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
Mbeki and Motlanthe will cast their vote here at 11 and 12 respectively. Some voters wearing their green, gold and black @City_Press
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
10:56
At 10:00 in Dobsonville voting stations reported that at least 181 people had voted. In Westcliff it took voters an hour to vote.
RT @setumostone: #LGE2016 Second voting station in Mmusi's home ward (Ward 48) Dobsonville 181 people voted by 10am. pic.twitter.com/5rFW4zgMDb
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
RT @setumostone: #LGE2016 Second voting station in Mmusi's home ward (Ward 48) Dobsonville 181 people voted by 10am. pic.twitter.com/5rFW4zgMDb
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
10:31
Former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe will cast their vote at the Killarney Country Club voting station at 11am and 12pm respectively.
MT @Hlengi: Gauteng secretary Hope Papo in Killarney waiting for Mbeki's arrival, together with Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau #LGE2016
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @Hlengi: Mbeki and Motlanthe will cast their vote at 11 and 12 respectively. Some voters wearing their green, gold and black
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
Few min before Mbeki's arrival, one of the presidential protection unit BMWs arrives. Men scan area with eyes, point at door #Elections2016
— Hlengiwe Nhlabathi (@Hlengi) August 3, 2016
10:27
Mmusi Maimane was seen accompanying DA's Tshwane mayoral candidate Solly Msimanga at the Capital Park Primary voting station. Maimane cast his vote earlier in the morning and will later jet off to Nelson Mandela Bay where he will join another mayoral candidate, Athol Trollip.
MT @SthembileCel: #LGE2016 DA leader Mmusi Maimane at Capital Park Primary to show support for Solly Msimanga pic.twitter.com/DLMPFKason
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
9:45
ANC and DA agents were seen at most polling stations this morning but journalists repored that in some places the EFF were not seen at all.
MT @setumostone: #LGE2016 ANC agents at work checking voters at the DSJ voting station Mmusi's homeward pic.twitter.com/UgB5Y4Czqv
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @GayleMahala: Last Chance Saloon for ANC and DA outside Westcliff polling station - no EFF #LGE2016 pic.twitter.com/DlqrWJmxD7
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @Hlengi: ANC tent pitched right by the gate in Killarney. No sign of DA or EFF. Two elderly DA agents inside the venue #Elections2016
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
9:30
In Dobsonville, DA leader Mmusi Maimane's home town, the DSJ voting station opened its doors at 7.30am and by 9.30am 200 people had voted already.
MT @setumostone: #LGE2016 #DSJVotingStation in Maimane's home ward, 200 people voted by 9:50. Station opened at 7:30 pic.twitter.com/2LnKebRizU
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
MT @setumostone: #LGE2016 DA branded bus in Ward 48 in Dobsonville at DSJ voting station, playing loud reggae pic.twitter.com/HAUxY94x2U
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
9:18
At the Avhatondwi Primary School in Vyeboom, near Vuwani, police had to remove barricades blocking access to the voting station this morning. Police and the military are keeping guard at the voting station, while they set up a tent. The voting station has not opened yet.
MT @PolokoTau: #Vuwani IEC sets up while police clear barricades & take guard pic.twitter.com/PN5HPw8cBn #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/P6dYcMLsbX
— City Press Online (@City_Press) August 3, 2016
#Vuwani Voting station tents going up...voting yet to start at Avhatondwi primary school in Vyeboom pic.twitter.com/GDKbvitLkP
— Poloko Tau (@PolokoTau) August 3, 2016