The South African government has commended citizens for turning out in numbers to exercise their democratic right to vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections (KwaZulu-Natal%20police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has called for improved coordination between law enforcement agencies and the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) following the theft of sensitive electoral materials at a voting station in Hillcrest. Mkhwanazi said the incident highlighted the need for closer cooperation to safeguard election materials during their transportation and storage. He was speaking at the Provincial Results Operations Centre (PROC) in KwaZulu-Natal, where police were providing updates following the conclusion of voting in the 2026 Local Government Elections. Special voting took place on Monday and Tuesday, while general voting was held on Wednesday, November 4, from 7am to 9pm. About 29.2 million registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots to elect local government representatives. However, some voting stations across the country were still experiencing long queues on Wednesday night, prompting the IEC to extend voting arrangements to allow those already in line to cast their ballots. Voting has since concluded, with counting underway and results beginning to come in. The IEC is expected to announce the final results over the weekend. Mkhwanazi calls for improved coordination Mkhwanazi said the police and other government departments responsible for election security had been monitoring the work being done to ensure a safe election process. However, he acknowledged that the coordination between law enforcement agencies and the IEC needed to improve. “So, being here, as the colonel has said, together with the DG and the DDG from the National Office representing NATJOINTS, we are observing the work that is done by different departments of government that are assigned with the responsibility of providing safety during these elections. “But, of course, we cannot do that job alone without the IEC,” he said. “What we have picked up in the main, as the cluster, is that we might have to improve our coordination with the IEC.” He pointed to the theft of sensitive electoral materials at a voting station in Hillcrest as an example of an incident that could have been prevented through closer cooperation. “Such would not have happened if there was a very close working relationship with us, from law enforcement, and the IEC themselves, so that we can make sure that we protect every part of the movement of this sensitive material between us,” he said. Mkhwanazi also acknowledged that law enforcement agencies had identified shortcomings in their own response, which may have affected the IEC’s ability to carry out its responsibilities efficiently. He said the cluster and the IEC would have to conduct a debriefing after the elections to identify areas requiring improvement and strengthen cooperation ahead of future polls. Cops commend election security efforts Despite the incidents reported during the election period, Mkhwanazi commended the overall work of the departments involved in providing security. He said there had been relatively few incidents and that, where incidents were reported, recoveries had been made. He also praised the response to voting stations that opened late, saying efforts had been made to ensure they opened as quickly as possible. “Coincidentally, some of those voting stations that might have opened late were the first voting stations to close early, to finish early, because all the registered people were able to vote on time,” he said. Mkhwanazi added that delays in the transportation of electoral materials had also been addressed, with efforts made to ensure that deliveries caught up. He said the police and other departments would review the election process to address shortcomings and prepare for future elections. Cops investigate Hillcrest ballot theft KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating a burglary after ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials belonging to the IEC were allegedly stolen from a voting station in Hillcrest. The theft allegedly occurred between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, November 4, after IEC materials were left inside a guard house at a school being used as a voting station. According to KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda, the IEC presiding officer arrived at the school on Tuesday evening and placed sensitive materials, including ballot papers, voter rolls and ink, inside the guard house before locking the school gate and leaving. Police said a group of about 10 people had allegedly been watching the official while she was inside the guard house. The school reportedly did not have a security guard on duty overnight. When the presiding officer returned to the school on Wednesday morning, she allegedly found the gate open and people standing outside the premises. Upon entering the guard house, she discovered that ballot papers and other IEC materials had been stolen. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who opened a case of burglary. Police probe handling of sensitive electoral materials Netshiunda said the investigation would also seek to establish why ballot papers and other sensitive electoral materials had been transported to the voting station the night before the elections and without a police escort. The South African Police Service said one of its responsibilities during elections was to escort presiding officers transporting sensitive materials between warehouses and voting stations, as well as back to warehouses. Police emphasised that the movement of sensitive electoral materials was supposed to take place on election day, with officers providing an escort. IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said staff at the affected voting station had been relieved of their duties. He said the stolen ballots could not be used without detection because every ballot had to be validated with a stamp on the back. The stolen stamp could also be distinguished from those used on election day. “There are 20 voting stations in that ward,” Sheburi told the media on Wednesday afternoon. “We have put in measures to ensure that should those ballots surface at any of those voting stations, we will be able to identify them, because it is a requirement that a ballot must be validated by a stamp at the back. “And if the stamp that was stolen together with those ballots is used, it is distinguishable from the stamps that are used on election day because it was allocated only for use for special voting days.” The Hillcrest incident was the second reported theft of election materials in KwaZulu-Natal this week. Empty ballot boxes and stationery were previously stolen from the Amahlongwa Community Hall in Umdoni during special voting on Monday.), while extending condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones during the electioneering period.
This comes as voting has concluded across the country, with the counting process under way and preliminary results beginning to come in.
Special voting took place on Monday and Tuesday, while general voting was held on Wednesday, November 4.
About 29.2 million registered voters (https://iol.co.za/lge2026/2026-11-05-south-africa-heads-into-vote-counting-after-millions-cast-their-ballot-in-local-government-elections/.) were eligible to cast their ballots to elect local government representatives.
However, some voting stations across the country were still experiencing long queues on Wednesday night, prompting the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to extend voting arrangements to allow those already in line to cast their ballots.
Despite the IEC describing voting as having progressed well nationally, the day was marred by delays caused by protests and heavy rain, the theft of election materials in eThekwini, power outages at some stations and the death of a woman who collapsed while waiting to vote in Durban.
The IEC is expected to announce the final results over the weekend.
Government commends voter participation
In a media statement, the government expressed its sincere appreciation to South Africans, particularly registered voters who turned out in numbers to participate in the elections.
“The elections provided citizens with an opportunity to influence the direction of local governance and hold elected representatives accountable for addressing service delivery challenges and improving the quality of life in communities,” said Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi.
“The government commends the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for its continued efforts to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
“The government reaffirms its confidence in the IEC and recognises its important role in administering the country’s electoral processes and safeguarding democracy.”
Baloyi also praised law enforcement agencies for their efforts to maintain peace, stability and public order throughout the election period.
Government thanks employers and volunteers
The government further thanked employers who released employees from work to vote, as well as individuals and organisations that provided assistance and support to voters waiting in queues.
“The government further thanks all employers who released employees from work to vote and also acknowledges and thanks all individuals and organisations who, through acts of kindness and generosity, provided assistance and support to voters while they waited in queues to cast their ballots.
“These gestures of goodwill reflect the spirit of Ubuntu,” Baloyi said.
Condolences to bereaved families
While celebrating the participation of millions of South Africans in the democratic process, the government also conveyed its condolences to families who lost loved ones during the electioneering period.
“We also wish those affected strength and comfort during this difficult time,” Baloyi said.
Call for continued citizen participation
Baloyi said as the country concludes the electoral process, the government urged South Africans to continue upholding the principles of unity and social cohesion.
“Democracy does not end at the ballot box; it requires continued citizen participation, accountability and constructive engagement to ensure that local government delivers on its mandate.
“The government remains committed to working with all sectors of society to strengthen local governance, advance inclusive development and build safe, sustainable and resilient communities,” he added.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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