IEC lets Malema jump queue in by-election: DA

Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema received special treatment from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) during a by-election in Limpopo, the DA says.

A by-election was held in Seshego, part of the Polokwane voting district, on Wednesday.

"Firstly, Mr Malema was allowed to approach the voting station in his convoy, and was allowed to drive into the IEC's cordoned-off area that surrounded the voting station," spokesman Mmusi Maimane said.

Voters are usually only allowed to enter this area on foot to wait in line to vote.

Malema was also allowed to skip the queue and go straight to the voting booths.

In every other election, Democratic Alliance and African National Congress leaders had always waited their turn in line, the party said.

The IEC is supposed to treat all South Africans equally.

"Mr Malema yesterday showed his disrespect for other voters by jumping the queue," Maimane said.

The IEC barred other voters from entering the voting hall while Malema was casting his ballot.

"DA representatives inside the voting hall report that the IEC issued a specific instruction to keep other voters out of the hall while Mr Malema was voting," he said.

"Special arrangements were made for one individual, whilst other voters had to wait in line outside."

This was unacceptable, and the party had written to the IEC for an explanation of the matter.

IEC spokeswoman Kate Bapela was not immediately available for comment.