The delegation from the Electoral Commission of South Africa with reverends from the Nazareth Baptist Church during a visit to the eBuhleni faction leader Inkosi Mduduzi Shembe.
Image: FACEBOOK/IEC
Officials from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) have concluded a two-week stakeholder engagement campaign in KwaZulu-Natal as part of efforts to boost voter confidence ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The delegation, led by IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya, met with a range of stakeholders across the province, including political parties, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders and members of civil society.
Among the high-profile engagements was a meeting on Tuesday with Nazareth Baptist Church leader Inkosi Mduduzi “Nyazi Lwezulu” Shembe of the eBuhleni faction in Mhlabuyalingana, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
During the engagements, IEC officials outlined preparations for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026.
In a statement issued after the meetings, the commission said strengthening cooperation and encouraging greater public participation in the electoral process remained a top priority.
“We want the public to participate in the voting process, especially in KZN. We are committed to resolving all complaints related to the election and voting. We are committed to holding peaceful and free elections,” the commission said.
The leader of the dominant faction of the Nazareth Baptist Church, eBuhleni, Inkosi Mduduzi "Unyazilwezulu" Shembe, when he was visited by the delegation from the Electoral Commission of South Africa in uMhlabuyalingana earlier this week.
Image: FACEBOOK/IEC
The IEC described the outreach programme as successful and said the engagements were necessary following concerns over declining public trust in the commission within KwaZulu-Natal.
According to a study commissioned by the IEC to assess public perceptions about elections and voting, residents in KwaZulu-Natal showed the lowest levels of trust in the commission and reduced interest in participating in elections compared to other provinces.
The commission also announced that the next voter registration weekend will take place on June 20 and 21.
The voter confidence campaign comes amid mounting pressure from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which has called for the postponement of the elections over allegations that the party was robbed of victory during the 2024 general elections.
MKP leader Jacob Zuma recently met with IEC officials regarding the party’s complaints. However, Zuma has indicated that the party will proceed with its legal challenge against the 2024 election results, which is expected to be heard next month.
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