Frustration as ballot delays disrupt Cape Town special voting

Frustration as ballot delays disrupt Cape Town special voting Estelle.Bronkhorst Tue, 11/03/2026 - 08:00

CAPE TOWN - Special voting got off to a rocky start in Cape Town, with more than 200 voting stations failing to open on time.

The IEC blamed delays in the delivery of ballot papers, leaving some voters waiting for hours to cast their ballots.

Some voters were left waiting for hours before they could finally make their mark.

**READ: **Special voting hit by delays as 217 Cape Town stations open late

Just under 300,000 residents applied for special votes in the Western Cape, including more than 72,000 who are due to receive home visits.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis criticised the IEC over the delayed delivery of ballot papers.

Huis Nuweland was among the voting stations affected.

But once the ballot papers arrived, the facility's oldest resident wasted no time in casting her vote.

The 101-year-old Daphne Buchholtz also had some advice for fellow voters.

"We must stay on the right path," she said.

In Gugulethu, 92-year-old ANC stalwart and uMkhonto weSizwe veteran Alfred Siphetho Willie also made his way to the polling station.

"The struggle is for the people. The people will have to decide what they want," Willie said.

**READ: **IEC estimates 780,000 people cast special votes on first day

"So the parties need to work together to make this country governable. But if we are separated, we won't succeed."

Those who have been approved for special votes still have an opportunity to cast their ballots on Tuesday.

Other registered voters will head to the polls on Wednesday for the main voting day.

• eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports.