On Thursday (12/11), ACT members joined by those of Voice for Change and residents, took to the street to express frustrations. They allege the election results in the ward do not correspond with the number of registered voters. They are calling on the IEC to provide answers and ensure transparency in the electoral process.

In a video shared on social media, members of the party led by Ace Magashule were seen chanting outside the Phomolong police station in Hennenman, demanding intervention over their concerns.

ACT Ward 2 coordinator Thabang Takalo said the organisation and residents were dissatisfied with the election outcome, as they believed the elections had been rigged. He said concerns were raised with the IEC during the elections last week, but the commission had allegedly failed to respond to their complaints.

Takalo said they requested an audit and verification of the election results for Matjhabeng Ward 2, arguing the figures did not correlate with the number of voters.

He said their analysis of the ward’s registration figures revealed an anomaly that required an explanation. Takalo pointed out the number of registered voters increased from 5,845 in the 2021 local government elections to 6,070 in 2026, representing a 3.8% increase.

He said ACT members and residents marched to the Phomolong police station on Thursday morning (12/11), requesting the station commander to contact IEC officials so that their concerns could be addressed.

Members of Voice for Change and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also reportedly formed part of the march. According to Takalo, police subsequently visited the IEC offices and engaged with officials before returning to provide feedback to residents. They were reportedly informed that no formal complaint had been lodged.

OFM News also contacted the IEC provincial office, which confirmed that it had no record of a complaint lodged regarding the Ward 2 election results in Hennenman, Matjhabeng.

Takalo, however, disputed this, maintaining that a complaint had been submitted to the commission the previous week.

“The complaint was taken last week Thursday, I was part of those people who laid complaint to IEC. So it comes as a surprise that today there’s no formal complaint on election in ward 2. As ACT members together with Phomolong residents, we are going to fight fire with fire now if we do not get what we want because all we want is a recount.”

Residents said further action will be taken if the IEC failed to respond to their demands, he warned. They would take to the streets if the commission did not heed their call for a recount.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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