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Ward 43 Ballot Papers Stolen at Gunpoint

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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality strongly condemns the gunpoint robbery of Ward Committee Election ballot papers and materials in Ward 43 Councillor’s office on October 27, 2022.

According to preliminary reports, armed men forcefully entered the councillor’s office boardroom where election officials were busy finalising an audit of votes following a successful Ward Committee election in the area on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

They took the ballot papers and all the election materials and left. By the time law enforcement officers arrived, the men had already left the offices.

The matter was reported to the South African Police Services and the municipality’s Safety and Security Directorate is also conducting its own internal investigation.

Mayoral Committee Member for Constituency Services, Councillor Rano Kayser, whose Directorate was responsible for overseeing the elections, said incidents like this have no place in a free and democratic South Africa.

“In as much as the overall elections were successful and we received a good turnout from communities, incidents like this are counter-progressive. We will be working with the law enforcement agencies to make sure that the culprits are arrested and face the full might of the law,” said MMC Kayser.

The Municipality has taken a decision to redo the elections in Ward 43 next Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

Elections will also be held in Wards 7, 37, 46, and 49. In Wards 7 and 49, the elections were postponed due to logistical challenges that included the availability of election officials and a proper venue.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.