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Woman hit by car in voting queue returns to vote

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Chantelle Gribble fractured her leg when a car drove into her at the Poplar Avenue voting station in Craigavon, Fourways, on Wednesday. After leaving hospital, she went back on crutches and cast her vote.

The incident happened at around 7:00am on Wednesday. Gribble said she did not see the car coming because of the angle at which she stood. She said the driver drove into her and then over her. Her husband was at the scene with their 15-month-old son.

Gribble said the driver had apparently been in another collision moments earlier. She said the car was a grey Chery Tiggo and that she has its registration number.

Police opened a case of reckless and negligent driving, and no one has been arrested. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Mudau said police investigations continue. He said the docket will go to court for a decision.

Ward 115 councillor Mark Van der Merwe called her return to vote an extraordinary decision. He described it as a civic duty and said it was spectacular.

Key facts

Who
Chantelle Gribble (Woman knocked down by car while queueing to vote; returned from hospital to vote); Mark Van der Merwe (Ward 115 councillor); Isaac Mudau (Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel)
What
Chantelle Gribble was struck by a passing car at the Poplar Avenue voting station early on Wednesday morning, suffering a fractured leg. She was discharged from hospital and returned on crutches to cast her vote. Police have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving; no one has been arrested.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Craigavon, Fourways, Johannesburg
Status
Reported

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