IN PICS | From Cape Town to Durban: Voters turn out in numbers for elections - IOL

Citizens queue to vote Local Govermenrt elections at the New Generations Combine School in Phumula mqashi near Lenasia south in Johannesburg.

South Africans have turned out in large numbers to cast their votes in the 2026 Local Government Elections, with long queues, a calm atmosphere and a visible security presence reported at voting stations across the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Voting got underway on Wednesday morning, November 4, with residents arriving at polling stations before doors opened at 7am, eager to make their voices heard in an election that will determine the leadership of municipalities across the country.

Despite an isolated technical problem at a voting station in Cape Town, voting has largely proceeded peacefully at the stations covered so far, with police and other law enforcement agencies deployed to maintain order.

From Cape Town to Johannesburg and Durban, voters have braved early morning queues, with some bringing camping chairs as they prepare for a long day at the polls.

Residents have slowly started queuing at Nkanini in Khayelitsha, as voting gets underway in the local government elections.

Hundreds of voters descended on polling stations across Cape Town, with some arriving as early as 5.30am to secure their places in queues.

At CBC St John's in Parklands, long queues stretched from the school entrance along Dorchester Drive and onto Parklands Main Road.

Residents came prepared with snacks, hats and camping chairs as temperatures began to rise.

Inside the voting station, elderly voters and people with disabilities were accommodated downstairs, while other voters queued upstairs to cast their ballots.

At Regent Park in Table View, voters experienced a temporary delay after a scanner developed a fault. A Democratic Alliance representative informed those waiting that the problem had been resolved and that the queue was expected to move faster.

Residents have slowly started queuing at Nkanini in Khayelitsha, as voting gets underway in the local government elections.

Police and members of integrated law enforcement agencies are on parade this morning prepared to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful Local Government Election across the Western Cape .

Meanwhile, police officers and members of integrated law enforcement agencies gathered for an early morning parade as part of security preparations to ensure peaceful elections across the province.

At Bernardino Heights High School in Kraaifontein, voter Cheslyn Ross arrived at approximately 6.45am, hoping his vote would reflect the challenges facing his community.

Ross expressed hope that the candidate he supported would remain committed to their values and principles and work towards improving conditions in Kraaifontein.

GOOD Party leader Patricia de Lille was also among hundreds of voters queuing at Pinelands Primary School to cast their ballots.

Police and members of integrated law enforcement agencies are on parade this morning prepared to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful Local Government Election across the Western Cape .

Johannesburg citizens queue to vote Local Govermenrt elections at the New Generations Combine School in Phumula mqashi bear Lenasia south.

In Johannesburg, residents began arriving at Emmarentia Primary School in Randburg on Wednesday morning to participate in the municipal elections.

The voting station also attracted prominent political figures, including Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who cast his ballot in the morning.

Speaking to IOL after voting, Cachalia condemned the killing of political party members, describing election-related violence as unacceptable.

He said police had made considerable progress in investigations into five cases linked to the Kempton Park killings.

The DA's Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Helen Zille, was also expected to cast her vote at the station.

Citizens cast their vote in Phumula mqashi near Lenasia south in Johannesburg.

Councillor candidate Xolile Lufele emphasised the importance of electing accountable leaders who prioritise communities and basic service delivery.

He pointed to Johannesburg's ongoing municipal challenges, including refuse collection problems involving Pikitup and deteriorating services.

Voting activities at Emmarentia Primary School were underway, with no disruptions reported in the information available from the station.

Citizens queue to vote Local Govermenrt elections at the New Generations Combine School in Phumula mqashi near Lenasia south.

Voters turned out in large numbers at Gijima Primary School in Lamontville to cast their votes. This is the voting station where Sithembiso Ngema DA KZN resides and is expected to cast his vote.

Voting got underway peacefully at several polling stations in Durban, with police and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel visible as part of security operations.

At Duffs Road, voting proceeded calmly, with a steady flow of residents arriving to cast their ballots and no disruptions reported.

In Newlands East, different political parties erected gazebos outside Roseland Primary School as voters arrived throughout the morning.

Duduzane Zuma, son of former president Jacob Zuma and a political figure associated with the MK Party, arrived at the school to cast his ballot.

Voters turned out in large numbers at Gijima Primary School in Lamontville to cast their votes. This is the voting station where Sithembiso Ngema DA KZN resides and is expected to cast his vote.

Duduzane Zuma arrives at Roseland Primary School in Newlands East, where he is expected to cast his ballot as voting gets underway in the local government elections.

Speaking about the party's election prospects, Zuma expressed confidence in securing victory.

“Expectations all out. Certainly going to be an all out win. That’s what we expect. That’s what we’ve been working for. The time for talking is done. the mission will be accomplished today without doubt,” he said.

Security remained visible in parts of Durban, with two SANDF vehicles carrying troops spotted travelling along Chris Hani Road, formerly known as Old North Coast Road.

Police and military personnel were placed on standby at identified election hotspots to respond to potential disruptions.

Large numbers of voters turned out at Gijima Primary School in Lamontville, where DA KwaZulu-Natal figure Sithembiso Ngema was expected to cast his vote.

The scenes across the three provinces reflected an active start to Election Day, with voters queuing to exercise their democratic rights while security personnel remained on alert.