CARLETONVILLE - As the country edges closer to the November 4 voting day, complaints of alleged voter registration fraud are also beginning to emerge.
A political activist claims he was moved to a voting district in Mpumalanga that he’s never been to.
Sello Molisalife was looking forward to contesting Ward 12 in the Merafong City Local Municipality as part of the Merafong Agents of Change.
But as candidate lists were being finalised last month, he was hit with bad news.
Molisalife was informed that his registration had been moved across provincial boundaries to Mpumalanga.
“I don’t know if it’s an error by the IEC or a political stunt… and whoever did that, I hope justice can be done,” he said.
The unverified transfer not only prevents Molisalife from casting a ballot in his ward, but also automatically disqualifies him from contesting.
“I am not voting in Mpumalanga. Being a voter in my municipality is important to me.”
The 45-year-old activist admits that more due diligence on his part might have caught the discrepancy sooner.
The Independent Electoral Commission says the election timetable is set in stone.
It’s urging Molisalife to report what he claims is a deliberate plot to derail his campaign to the police.
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“I want to emphasise the word timetable… you cannot, when you have a mammoth task, entertain last-minute changes," said the IEC's James Aphane.
"Those who didn’t follow the timetable, it is sad.”
While Molisalife will not be exercising his right to cast his ballot this year, he plans to open a case of fraud.
For now, he has resolved to remain an active voice in his community and vows to find other ways to make a difference.