IFP slams IEC court move

THE IFP has lashed out at the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) for approaching the Electoral Court to postpone the hotly contested by-elections to be held at the uPhongolo municipality on Wednesday.

The IFP said it noted with concern the speedy response of the IEC to act on a complaint by the ANC, which it said was desperate to control the municipality.

On Friday, the IEC filed papers with the court following an objection by the ANC about people appearing on the voters roll for ward 7 although they did not reside there.

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said the ANC alleged that about 380 people were incorrectly registered in ward 76, which has 3 983 registered voters.

IFP national chairperson Blessed Gwala said his party was shocked that the IEC had acted swiftly on the matter.

“We note this in a serious light. There are things that we have complained about to the IEC, but they never acted,” Gwala said.

“It is even shocking when the IEC is quick to attend to something that is not even there…

“How are we to take the IEC seriously? Gwala asked.

ANC provincial secretary Super Zuma said the IEC’s action was confirmation of the party’s discovery of people registered in the ward, although not residing there.

“We were able to prove there are people who do not live there. There are allegations that they (fraudulent voters) come from Swaziland,” he said.