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Newsbrief

ANC says IFP supporters attacked two members in Abaqulusi

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal says two of its members went to hospital after an assault while they travelled to vote. Police say the people involved knew each other, had been drinking, and the fight was not political.

The ANC said the assault happened in the Siyaphambili voting district, in ward 4 of the Abaqulusi local municipality. Provincial spokesperson Sifiso Sonjica spoke for the party. The ANC called on police and the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa to step in and protect voters.

The party called the incident political violence and a direct attack on democracy. It alleges that supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party carried out the attack. The IFP was not immediately available for comment.

Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the people involved knew one another and were under the influence of alcohol. He said the cause of the fight was not related to politics.

Key facts

Who
Robert Netshiunda (police spokesperson); Sifiso Sonjica (ANC provincial spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal); African National Congress (party whose members were allegedly attacked); Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (electoral body the ANC called on to safeguard voters)
What
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal says two of its members were injured in an alleged assault in Abaqulusi while on their way to vote, and called on police and the IEC to intervene. Police say those involved knew each other, were under the influence of alcohol, and that the fight was not politically related.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Abaqulusi, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

Elections Hot

What you need to know

Voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal closed at 9:00pm on 4 November and counting began, with police saying pockets of political intolerance did not break the calm. Early results show the ANC leading with 19 seats and the DA with seven, after over 5% of votes were counted.

Earlier, about 12 million voters had cast ballots by 5:00pm, a turnout of 44% before special votes, after 98% of the 23,696 stations opened by 7am. Problems did arise: some Cape Metro voters said they waited up to six hours, and the IEC said it fixed faulty devices and added staff.

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US mid-terms Heating up

What you need to know

President Donald Trump said on 5 November that the Iran war was needed to stop Tehran getting a nuclear weapon, though he admitted it contributed to Republican losses. Democrats won back both the US House and Senate in the 3 November midterm elections, according to media projections, as exit polls showed voters angry about high prices.

The Senate majority came after projected upsets, including James Talarico beating Republican Ken Paxton in Texas. Iranian officials said US voters had rejected the war, while Tehran stayed on high alert for possible new US strikes.

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