Voting starts in Soshanguve in local government elections
Ongoing: Elections Hot
Voting at Tsaroga Phoka Primary School began about 20 minutes late, at around 7:20am, after a network problem with Voter Management Devices. The station was due to open at 7am, and polls close at 9pm.
Voters at the Soshanguve station spoke about their hopes. Thabo Maleka, 39, said he came to vote for change. He said he had been voting for the opposition, but not much had changed.
Bokang Maleka, 19, voted for the first time. The teenager said young people are committed to making the right decisions. Another voter, Baloyi, said illegal migration, unemployment and crime are top of mind.
Baloyi said unemployment keeps rising every year. Baloyi also said the many political parties have turned politics into a business that no longer serves the people. Voters who did not register this time will still be able to vote in the 2029 national elections, Baloyi said.
Voters in metropolitan municipalities receive two ballots. Voters in local municipalities receive three. The Electoral Commission has said it is ready for the polls.
Key facts
- Who
- Bokang Maleka (First-time voter, 19, interviewed at the polling station); Thabo Maleka (39-year-old voter who said he has been voting for the opposition); Baloyi (Voter who said illegal migration, unemployment and crime are top of mind); Electoral Commission (Body running the 2026 Local Government Elections)
- What
- SAnews reports on voters casting ballots in the 2026 Local Government Elections at a Soshanguve school, where voting started around 7:20am after a network challenge with Voter Management Devices. Voters quoted express hopes for change and views on unemployment, crime and political parties.
- When
- 4 November 2026
- Where
- Soshanguve, Tshwane, Pretoria
- Status
- Reported