EFF battles alleged bi-election corruption

Matlerekeng

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo has lodged a complaint with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), following alleged fraudulent bi-election registrations claims at Mabule Primary School in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) Ward 1.

EPMLM is set to hold bi-election following the death of then Ward Councillor Frans Mello who passed away last month.

The EFF said they were appalled and shocked by voter registration fraud where IEC officials colluded with the African National Congress (ANC) members at the voting station, by collecting identity numbers from community members, verifying, registering and changing their addresses without the owners’ of the identity documents presence at the station.

EFF Limpopo Provincial Chairperson, Tshilidzi Maraga, said the registration fraud was committed by officials from the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) members who were hired by IEC to preside the registration process.

“The EFF is of the view that the majority of IEC officials are conflicted and therefore not fit to play any administrative role in elections. We do however, acknowledge that there are non-partisan officials in the IEC who are ethical in their conduct and committed to their work,” she said.

Maraga indicated that it was only through the intervention of the EFF that the implicated officials were dismissed.

“Our suspicion is that the tempering and manipulation of registration process could be widespread especially with SADTU members involved. We must warn corrupt and unethical IEC officials that the EFF will not tolerate registration fraud. The EFF will continue to expose these shenanigans by the IEC officials and ANC wherever they raise their ugly head to ensure free and fair elections,” she said.

Maraga said they want IEC to ensure that the bi-elections that will be held on 8 November 2023 are credible, free and fair.

At the time of going to print, ANC Spokesperson in Sekhukhune Region, Sam Uwane, said the party in the provincial level was working on the response on the allegations and will release the statement as soon as it is available.

IEC Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, confirmed that the commission has received EFF complaint and have dismissed the said official complaint.

“The implicated person has transgressed our values and has compromised the electoral commission and we have arrived to the decision that everyone who is implicated should be removed from their duties,” she said.