Counting operation underway across KZN voting stations
Millions of South Africans have cast their votes in the 2026 municipal elections, and voting stations closed at nine o’clock last night across the country.
In KwaZulu-Natal’s Zululand District, most of the 546 voting stations are currently counting ballots, with the process expected to continue throughout the night.
The IEC’s Zululand Regional Manager, Phakamani Mabaso, says contingency plans are in place to ensure that the counting runs smoothly.
“We have faith because we have had communications and contingency plans with the SAPS. And, as I’ve mentioned earlier on that we have also provided generators to some of our voting stations. But because we already had a communication with the Eskom to say if ever there will be any power outages, we must report to them quickly.”
Mabaso says they have recorded minor disturbances, including alleged clashes between Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP) supporters and African National Congress (ANC) members in the AbaQulusi Municipality, where at least two ANC supporters received medical attention from paramedics.
He attributes most of the incidents to alcohol abuse, adding that they are still waiting for more information about what led to the clashes.
“So the use of alcohol also contributes to violence because people lose control and they easily lose their temper,” he said.
KZN PROVINCE STABLE: SAPS
KwaZulu-Natal police say the province has remained stable at the close of voting in the 2026 local government elections. This is despite pockets of political intolerance reported in several areas.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Phumelele Makoba briefed the media at the IEC Results Operation Centre (ROC) at the Durban ICC. She says there were isolated clashes involving supporters of contesting political parties, but most were resolved without criminal cases being opened.
“We had to up our game as police and other law enforcement to police 165 high risk voting stations, 1014 medium risk voting stations, and 3550 low risk voting stations across the 11 districts of KZN. Although we had pockets of political intolerance, the province remained stable throughout the election period to this point. And we shall keep our deployment at strategic points until the counting of votes has been concluded and the results have been announced.”
Meanwhile, Makoba says power outages reported in parts of the province did not disrupt voting or the counting of ballots after voting stations closed.
Electricity disruptions were reported in areas including KwaMakhuta, Umbumbulu and Isipingo. Makoba says investigations are underway to establish the cause of the outages.
“If the power outage was manmade, with ill intentions, the responsible individuals will be held accountable for their actions. The safety and security of IEC officials, law enforcement officers and voters are of paramount importance and we cannot allow anyone to put lives at risk,” she says.
