‘Calm down’: Former Isidingo actor Tumisho Masha responds to ballot-photo backlash - News24

Veteran actor and producer Tumisho Masha has asked South Africans to “calm down” after a storm erupted over a picture of his marked ballot paper on social media.

After voting at Lyndhurst Primary School in Johannesburg in Wednesday’s local government elections, he posted the picture on X along with the words: “My mark has been made @Action SA is the only party that knows how to fix Joburg.”

In response, a follower wrote: “Bathong Tumisho, why did you post your ballot? Now the cops are looking for you.”

Another wrote: “You ruined your vote and committed a crime…over excitement of a middle-aged dude is a recipe for disaster.”

According to the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC), taking a picture of a marked ballot paper is an offence in terms of Municipal Electoral Regulations.

Earlier this week, deputy electoral officer, Masego Shiburi, emphasised at the results operations centre in Midrand that taking photographs of a marked ballot paper was strictly prohibited.

A person convicted of photographing a marked ballot paper can be fined or imprisoned for up to a year.

But Masha has since followed up with a post, stating: “Everybody calm down, it’s really not what you think.”

News24’s attempts to reach Masha via phone and WhatsApp were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, in a separate post on Wednesday, Masha urged South Africans to make their mark, saying: “Go vote and vote wisely but most importantly, go vote.”

In a video, he also described his voting experience at Lyndhurst Primary School, saying that there were no queues.

“I am not sure that’s a good thing or bad thing. I think it’s a good thing because obviously the people inside are incredibly efficient. They are very good at what they are doing.

“We’ve got to thank the people who volunteered to be here today to help us with our democracy in this country.”

Showing his inked thumb to the camera, he said: “Make sure that you vote if you are eligible because tomorrow I am judging everyone who doesn’t have one of these (an inked thumb).”

News24 surveyed 5,001 registered voters to reveal who leads, what voters want fixed, and which coalitions South Africans could support.

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