Inkosi Kicks IEC Out After Finding Someone Sitting On His Chair
Voting at the Dlamini Tribal Court in the Tholakele area of eDumbe, northern KwaZulu-Natal, was temporarily disrupted after Inkosi Lungelo Dlamini ordered Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials to leave and removed voting materials from the premises.
According to the SABC, the incident happened on Monday, the first day of special voting for the 2026 local government elections. The traditional leader reportedly arrived at the facility and found someone sitting on his traditional chair, which had been moved to accommodate voting.
He allegedly viewed this as disrespectful and ordered IEC staff to leave, with election materials later found outside on the lawn. Following negotiations with the traditional leader, officials managed to reopen the voting station later that day, allowing special voting and home visits to continue.
However, tensions reportedly continued today, Tuesday, the second day of special voting, when women wearing trousers were turned away from the station.
SABC reporter Zanele Buthelezi, who was reporting from the scene, said she was also required to obtain a blanket to cover herself before being allowed inside. Party agents and IEC officials were reportedly instructed to return wearing clothing considered appropriate by the traditional leadership, including dresses and skirts.
IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi said the commission could not confirm the reports concerning the tribal court.
“Of the Dlamini Tribal Court, I have no facts to report on that one. I do not want to misrepresent the fact,” he said during a media briefing.
Sheburi added that no voting materials had been stolen or needed to be replaced.
Special voting are taking place nationallytoday, 3 November ahead of the main local government election day on Wednesday, 4 November.