Parties haggle over dead voter

Both the EFF and the ANC have claimed the voter who died while waiting to cast his ballot at the Strydenburg voting station as their own.

Kimberley - The ANC and the EFF have been at each others' throats throughout this election. But on Wednesday things got strange with both parties claiming membership of a voter who died while waiting to cast his ballot at the Strydenburg voting station in the Northern Cape on Wednesday morning.

Provincial IEC spokesman Elkin Topkin said the 52-year-old voter appeared to have had a pre-existing medical condition.

“The voter collapsed a few minutes after arriving at the voting station and joining the voting line. Emergency services rushed to assist him. Pandemonium broke out as everyone was curious to see what had happened. He was unfortunately declared dead on the scene by medical staff.”

Topkin added that the police were on the scene to handle the situation.

ANC provincial secretary Zamani Saul said the deceased, Jan van Wyk, was an ANC member.

“The ANC extends its heartfelt condolences to his spouse, family and friends. Van Wyk was determined to cast his vote in support of a party he so dearly loved.”

Saul added that the ANC candidate councillor, Sylvia Swartling, and fellow comrades of Strydenburg would assist the family with the funeral arrangements.

ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa also offered his condolences to the family.

But the EFF’s candidate in Strydenburg, Danny Jonas, insisted that Van Wyk, along with his wife, was an EFF fighter.

“The ANC cannot use the death of people for political point scoring.”

He added that Van Wyk had apparently complained of chest pains before he collapsed.

“The EFF picked up Van Wyk and his wife from their home and transported them to the voting station as they did not have any transport.

“We also visited the house. He leaves behind a two-month-old baby,” said Jonas.

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