The recent surge in deregistrations from the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter’s roll in the Free State province has raised eyebrows and suspicions among political parties, particularly the African National Congress (ANC). At least 99 voters have voluntarily deregistered over the past year, prompting concerns about potential political motives behind this trend.
According to IEC spokesperson David Mandaha, the number of deregistrations has seen a relative rise in the last financial year. While only one person deregistered in 2021/2022, the numbers increased to three in 2022/2023 and further spiked to 33 in 2023/2024. This trend has led to speculation within the ANC about a possible plot to undermine the party’s majority in the province.
Senior ANC leaders have suggested that some voters may have been offered financial incentives to deregister, with reports of individuals being promised R7,000 a month to remain deregistered. One source, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed to have been approached with such an offer but did not disclose whether they had accepted it or completed the deregistration process.
While the African Content Movement (ACM) denied any knowledge of the alleged bribery scheme, ActionSA expressed shock at the news and questioned the constitutionality of deregistering oneself from the voter’s roll. Party leader Patricia Kopano emphasized the importance of voting as a means to effect change in government and vowed to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the deregistration scheme.
Independent elections analyst Wayne Sussman expressed surprise at the concept of individuals deregistering from the voter’s roll, noting that voter turnout in recent elections had been low primarily due to voter apathy. He highlighted the unusual nature of the deregistration campaign, particularly the financial incentive involved.
An IEC source confirmed that an increase in deregistrations had been observed in recent months, with a noticeable shift towards more white people deregistering. The source dismissed allegations of bribery involving IEC staff and stated that the surge in deregistrations had prompted discussions at both provincial and municipal levels.
Overall, the sudden rise in deregistrations from the voter’s roll in the Free State province has sparked concerns about potential political interference and manipulation of the democratic process. As the situation unfolds, political parties and electoral authorities will need to closely monitor and address any attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral system. The issue of people being paid to deregister from the voter’s roll in the Free State province of South Africa has raised concerns among political leaders. Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae confirmed that she was made aware of the allegations last month, with reports originating from the Mantsopa local municipality. Initial investigations revealed that an ANC woman had been approached to deregister, prompting the mayor to verify the claims.
Subsequently, mayors of various municipalities have been instructed to collect affidavits from individuals who claim to have been offered money to deregister. However, there has been reluctance from these individuals to come forward and submit the necessary documentation. Premier Letsoha-Mathae described the allegations as an act of sabotage against the ANC, suggesting that known party activists were being paid not to vote in order to benefit other political parties.
Despite these claims, the Free State police have stated that they are not aware of any such allegations and that no cases have been opened in this regard. The ANC has historically enjoyed strong support in the province, although recent local government elections have seen a decline in their control over certain municipalities. In the 2024 national elections, the ANC’s support in the province decreased by more than 10% compared to the previous election.
A senior ANC official in the province acknowledged that known party supporters were allegedly being offered money to deregister, but could not provide concrete evidence of who was behind these actions. The official suggested that multiple parties were involved in attempting to sabotage the ANC by discouraging communities from voting, particularly in ANC-led wards.
Local municipality mayor Tseki Tseki expressed concerns over the undemocratic nature of these practices, emphasizing the importance of encouraging voter participation in the democratic process. He pledged to intensify voter registration campaigns to counteract any attempts to disenfranchise eligible voters. Tseki highlighted the upcoming registration weekends before the election day as an opportunity to ensure that all eligible voters are encouraged to register and exercise their right to vote for the party of their choice.
In conclusion, the issue of individuals being paid to deregister from the voter’s roll in the Free State province underscores the importance of safeguarding the democratic process and ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in elections without interference or manipulation.
