Minister Ntshavheni shuts down fake news outside polling station

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has reaffirmed the constitutional provisions that govern the right to vote, stressing that only South African citizens are eligible to take part in national and local government elections. Her message, shared on social media during the 2026 local government elections, comes as voting and counting continue across the country and as concerns about the eligibility of voters have been raised in several provinces.

Ntshavheni said that respecting the Constitution means protecting the integrity of the democratic process and upholding the laws that govern elections. The point is a simple one, but it carries weight in a country where the right to vote was won through decades of struggle and where the credibility of every ballot depends on the public’s confidence that only eligible people are voting.

Section 19 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to vote, to stand for public office and to participate in political activity. The same section links those rights to citizenship, which is why voting in national and provincial elections is limited to South African citizens. Local government elections are governed by the Municipal Electoral Act, which also requires voters to be citizens who are registered on the voters’ roll maintained by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The reminder comes at a sensitive time. In the days around the election, reports circulated on social media alleging that foreign nationals had voted at some stations, with some claims involving questionable identity documents. Such allegations are serious, and they have the potential to undermine trust in the result if they are not properly investigated. At the same time, unverified claims can spread quickly and fuel tension in communities that already feel stretched by unemployment and competition for services.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for verifying voters before they cast their ballots, and its officials check identity documents and the voters’ roll at each station. Any person who believes that an ineligible voter has cast a ballot can raise the matter with the IEC, party agents or the police, who can investigate and, where the evidence supports it, take action. Voters and party representatives are encouraged to report concerns through these channels rather than through public accusations that have not been substantiated.

Ntshavheni’s statement is a reminder that election integrity depends on every participant, including voters, party agents, election officials and the government, following the rules. As the counting continues and results are declared, the IEC’s verification processes and any formal complaints will determine how questions about eligibility are resolved.

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