Controversy surrounding the compilation of the local government election candidates’ list for the Bophirima region in North West is deepening, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) TV reported on Wednesday.
It said the Democratic Alliance has formally complained to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) following ”an incident” at the regional electoral offices in Vryburg on Friday.
”It’s alleged senior ANC [African National Congress] officials stormed the IEC offices and demanded to scrutinise certain lists already lodged with the IEC. They then made changes to the list,” the public broadcaster said.
A municipal electoral officer, Alwyn Smith, resigned in protest, the SABC said.
The three ANC officials allegedly took control of the IEC office and staff to change the ANC list that was already in the IEC database after the cut-off time.
The three are Ruth Mompati, the speaker of the North West legislature; Thandi Modise; and Solly Motobo, the SABC said.
It said Modise, who denied that they changed the list, issued a statement saying she was ”merely there at the request of the ANC to oversee the process”. — Sapa