The Electoral Commission of South Africa hopes to maintain its track record of running free and fair elections. International observers are adamant that this will be the case. They say there is a lot to learn from South Africa. Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan is leading the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy for Africa to observe elections in South Africa. The former statesman has vast experience in observing elections as he has led many missions since he left office.

Special voting is running smoothly today in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. This after more than 100 voting stations were not opened yesterday due to a taxi protest that shutdown the town. Local authorities in and around Mthatha have also welcomed the deployment of the army following disruptions to entry points yesterday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to IEC manager in the Eastern Cape, Siyabonga Maki.

More than 10 people have been killed in a collision between a mini-bus taxi and a truck on the Polokwane-Dendron road in Limpopo. It's been reported that the mini-bus taxi was transporting civil servants to work. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter in Limpopo, Pimani Baloyi

The casting of special votes at various voting stations in the Zululand District north of KwaZulu-Natal has begun without any glitches. Over 20 000 people have registered for special votes in this district. The IEC says those who will be voting today and tomorrow in this district consist of public servants, the elderly and the disabled. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News reporter in Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, Nonjabulo Makamu. 

Some voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal experienced delays in opening due to community protests, particularly in areas such as the Ugu Municipality and other districts. KZN Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga addressing the media says they are investigating reports of some voters receiving two ballots instead of three. Masinga was giving an update on the first day of special voting in KwaZulu-Natal. KZN Electoral Officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga...

The Electoral Commission has scheduled May 27 and May 28 for special voting, with 1.6 million individuals approved to vote starting today. In Kimberley, three centenarians are casting their ballots, including a 102-year-old elderly person born in 1922. Our reporter. Thabiso Radebe, spoke with the eldest voter and also visited senior citizens in Jan Kempdorp to observe more elderly citizens taking part in in the special voting. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Thabiso Radebe.

Roads coming into and from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape remain closed as local residents loot trucks stranded on the N2 and the R61 roads due to protest action by the local taxi industry. Its alleged protesting taxi operators have blockaded numerous other routes demanding the return of their firearms that were confiscated by the police last week. At least three taxi operators were killed last week with several seriously injured and admitted to the local hospital. For a better understanding to these latest developments, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Findiswa Mhlekude.

With less than a week remaining before South Africans go to the polls, SAfm provides comprehensive election coverage from the results operations centre in Midrand. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Pieter de Necker, CEO of Freedom Front Plus and GOOD's national chairperson, and Gauteng Premier Candidate, Mathew Cook about their readiness for the upcoming elections.

Defend our Democracy has called on members of the public to use social media and share their voting day experiences during election days starting next week Monday with special votes.The Elections observe group says it has also set up an elections App to capturer observe reports on May 29. This comes as the country draws closer to what is described as the most anticipated elections since 1994. Speaking during a media briefing earlier, the advocacy group says they have observers set up in all nine provinces. For more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Nomasonto Magwaza from Defend our Democracy.

 Long time DA member and leader, James Selfe has died at the age of 68 after a protracted battle with cancer. Selfe was elected to South Africa's first democratic parliament in 1994 and served in the national assembly until he retired in 2021. He served in the Portfolio Committee  of Justice and Correctional Services and was Chair of the DA's Federal Council for almost 20 years until he resigned from it in 2019. In 2021 Selfe testified at the State Capture Commission about corruption in Correctional Services specifically with regards to Bosasa in his capacity as DA's Shadow Minister for Correctional Services since 2009. It was in that same year he retired from parliament as a result of ill health. SABC News reporter, Busi Chimombe filed this report.