By Lekhotla Mokoena
Elections have come and gone. And now South Africa is set for the National Government of Unity. Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in as the President of the Republic of South Africa. And, in the Free State Maqueen Letsoha Mathae is officially the province’s Premier. Free State residents have accepted and looking forward to the delivery of services.
Claims that elections might have been rigged seem to be bridge under the water and members of the public have returned to their normal day to day life.
Before the final count of election results, some parties had already claimed that they would not accept the outcome of the elections as they believed the elections might have been rigged. These also led to the social media fuelling the claims with misinformation and disinformation. Not only about the results, but also about the formation of coalitions and the announcement of Government of National Unity by the ANC.
For some of Fezile Dabi residents who are hooked on social media, particularly leaked whatssapp messages, facebook, twitter and tik-tok, a talk over the whether the elections have been fixed or not is far from over. This is fuelled by those who continue to sow misinformation about the elections and the recent threats by parties like uMkhonto weSizwe Party to boycott parliamentary sitting until their case is heard by the courts.
Resident Ouma Mabasa from Amelia Section in Zamdela Sasolburg said she has been left confused by the ongoing speculations on social media regarding the elections and its outcomes. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, we hear that elections have been rigged, and we see on television other parties going to court. What I know is that I have voted, and hope that my vote will help bring some changes in our lives”.
While Lucky Mokoena still follows the social media but is determined not to be misled. Instead, he resorted to the watching of Television and radio as a reliable source of income. “I have realised that there are more speculations on social media regarding the elections, someone end-up not knowing which one is the truth, I have resorted to the watching of TV and radio and checking some newspapers as a reliable source of information”
Some of the residents are afraid people may end up making wrong decisions because of the influence of the social media. Some of the parties have warned members of the public of the dangers of the social media and unfounded allegations that do rounds in a multiple of channels.
To some residents the difference between the truth and lie are a thin line, particularly in areas where there is no credible source of news or information.
Meanwhile Members of Parliament have already been sworn in to begin with the 7th administration. The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed an incident of attempted forced entry at its Gauteng Provincial Warehouse on the 18th June 2024, and that a case has been registered with South African Police Services investigating.
