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Former President Thabo Mbeki hopes that calm will prevail after the results for the municipal elections are announced this weekend.
Mbeki has been troubled by the political killings – which have mainly taken place in KwaZulu-Natal – since the start of election season.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at the Holy Family College in Houghton today, Mbeki said the killing of councillor candidates was “disturbing”.
“All of us were deeply concerned about what was happening as reported in the media about so many councillor candidates being killed; that was very, very disturbing,” he said as he acknowledged the fact that these elections were highly contested.
He also acknowledged the efforts by police to bring the perpetrators to book.
“I hope that by the time we finish the elections this situation of peace will [prevail].”
Mbeki was pleased that there had been no violence since voting stations opened today, saying this was a good sign.
Asked how he felt after casting his vote, Mbeki said it was a celebration of the struggle and a way of saluting a victory.
“The issue of capacity of expropriation to elect our own government and participate in the process of determining policy has been very central for many decades in our lives.
“When you come exercise that vote, it’s a celebration of that victory because the matter of one person, one vote, and about people’s right to govern was such a central part of the struggle and therefore to cast a vote is really to salute a victory,” he said.
Mbeki, who walked to the voting station surrounded by his protectors and with presidential protection vehicles in tow, would still not openly say who he voted for.
He explained that while anyone could guess because it was so obvious, he would stay mum because he wanted people to vote with their conscience and not feel intimidated.
“That’s why I’m raising it. But I think it’s important to communicate this message, that people should be assured that there is nobody who is going to come down the street and say why did you vote for so-and-so and not so-and-so. So mine is still a secret,” he said with a smile.
He appeared to be at a loss for words when asked what other countries could learn from the way South African conducted its elections.
After a brief “hhhhmmm”, Mbeki said South Africa set an example for genuinely free and fair elections, with no intimidation, no violence or fraud – including cases of stolen ballot papers.
“We need to demonstrate that it is possible for all of us on the continent to truly respect this notion that the people shall govern.”
Unlike his counterpart, former president Kgalema Motlanthe, Mbeki did not bring his wife Zanele with him. He was met by Gauteng infrastructure MEC Qedani Mahlangu.
A relaxed Mbeki exchanged pleasantries with some voters and made sure to greet some elderly people who had been waiting on a bench as he left the venue to walk back home.
