The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed on Wednesday that unmarked and unused ballot papers were taken from a voting station in Ward 2 in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Results Operating Centre in Midrand, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Shiburi revealed that the thieves had also stolen the official stamp used to validate special vote ballots.
The theft involved blank ballot papers and an official validation stamp for special votes. The items could potentially be used to produce ballots that appear valid.
The incident occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, which police have identified as having the highest number of high-risk voting stations in the country.
Shiburi moved quickly to contain the damage, insisting the Commission has systems to catch the stolen papers if anyone tries to use them.
He said the IEC has put measures in place to detect the stolen ballots should they resurface at any voting station.
“A case has been opened with the SAPS and the affected staff has been relieved of their duties for their dereliction at the affected voting station,” Shiburi said.
The IEC confirmed that staff members at the affected voting station have been removed from their duties. According to Shiburi, the action was taken over their failure to safeguard election material at the station. A criminal case has been opened with the South African Police Service.
The theft in Ward 2 did not happen in isolation. It is the latest in a string of incidents that have placed KwaZulu-Natal under the spotlight.
Before Election Day, the provincial IEC terminated the services of a presiding officer who transported election material in an e-hailing vehicle branded with a political party’s colours and logo.
Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga attempted to draw a hard line on procedure, reminding parties that they have no role in escorting ballot papers.
Masinga said parties are not allowed to escort IEC officials when transporting ballot papers to storage facilities. Only SAPS officials are allowed to escort IEC staff to those facilities.
She said parties are allowed to affix their seals on ballot boxes once the ballot box has been sealed by IEC officials, but not before, and not instead of the police.
The IEC is now warning that such interference is itself a threat to the integrity of the count.
The Commission says it has beefed up security at ballot storage facilities across KwaZulu-Natal. According to SAPS, the province accounts for 165 of the high-risk voting stations nationally, with 124 of those in eThekwini alone.
Despite the theft, the IEC insists it will deliver results that cannot be questioned.
Shiburi and Masinga both projected confidence, arguing that the safeguards, serial numbers, reconciliation processes and police escorts are enough to isolate the stolen material.
Shiburi further cautioned IEC staff against turning away voters wearing political party regalia.
He said only candidates and party agents are prohibited from wearing political party regalia within the boundaries of voting stations.