Cyril Ramaphosa rubbishes claims that the ANC is mobilising asylum seekers to vote for the party

President Cyril Ramaphosa has rubbished claims that the ANC is using asylum seekers to boost its support in the November 4 local government elections, calling the allegations “a rubbish story”.

There’s just no way that the ANC would get asylum seekers to vote for it. There’s just no way. It’s a rubbish story. It does not exist. We never want to do something like that.

Speaking at the Black Wednesday commemoration in Sandton on Monday, Ramaphosa addressed a social media post alleging that asylum seekers were being registered to vote for the governing party. Ramaphosa said the claims highlighted the dangers of social media platforms, where individuals could publish information without accountability.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has also dismissed claims that asylum seekers can vote in the upcoming local government elections. In a statement, the commission said: “This information is incorrect. Asylum seeker status does not give a person the right to vote in South African elections.”

Only South African citizens who are 18 years or older and on the voters’ roll are eligible to vote. Always verify information through official IEC platforms.

The clarification followed claims circulating online that asylum seekers would be able to vote after obtaining documentation through the country’s asylum system.