Cape Town - Ward 47 candidates across political parties have called for action to be taken after reporting a number of irregularities from Voting Districts across the ward.
The aggrieved candidates from Good, Al Jama-ah, Patriotic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, Freedom Front Plus, Democratic Independent, African Restoration Alliance, African Progressive Movement, Democratic People's Movement and community members met at Lansdowne Corner, on Wednesday, to air their grievances and come up with a way forward.
Independent candidate Sophia Fritz said at one voting station, she had secured six votes from supporters, however when the votes were tallied, she received nothing.
“I am disappointed in the process of this entire election. At the end of the day, corruption was the order of the day. A blind man could’ve smelled the corruption by the way people were talking amongst themselves, even the IEC people.”
She claimed to have seen an official celebrating after seeing ward councillor Antonio van der Rheede’s votes.
Patriotic Alliance candidate Ricardo Sedres said a political party’s supporters had worked for the IEC on election day with many DA supporters/members tallying the votes.
“Other things we also saw, the majority of the people who went to vote were turned away by the IEC.”
Sedres said a number of Hanover Park residents were found to have been registered in areas outside of their wards.
One candidate said candidates were canvassing for votes on election day, which was not allowed.
Good candidate Godfrey Joseph said it was time to shut Hanover Park down and get rid of Van der Rheede. “If we don't stop him, he is going to stop every good programme that must run in Hanover Park. Not only for our elders, but the youth.”
Mayoral candidate Puleng Mpokotho said the grievances raised were evident throughout the city and that parties needed to come together to call for accountability.
Hanover Park community leader Denver Andrews said, “As party agents and as candidates you should’ve known that objections should’ve been listed and noted on the day of elections. The presiding officer should’ve been informed of whatever your dissatisfaction was and a form should’ve been filled in.”
When asked to comment on whether he had known of his win and celebrated prior to the official announcement, Van der Rheede called the claims “utter rubbish” and would not comment further.
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za