S. African local elections credible: gov't

The South African government said on Sunday that the recently held local government elections were free, fair and credible.

"We commend the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for successfully managing the elections in a transparent, diligent and exemplary fashion with only minimal negative incidents," said Des van Rooyen, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

"We are satisfied that the IEC has built on its reputation of holding successful and credible elections," he told reporters in Pretoria.

The government also appreciates political parties and candidates which took part in the elections held on August 3, said Van Rooyen, who is also Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Elections.

More than 200 parties contested in the elections, with 61,014 candidates competing for municipal posts and parliamentary seats.

Van Rooyen said the government is also pleased with political maturity shown in the elections.

The South African Council of Churches and the Southern African Development Community (SADC)'s observer mission also declared the elections as free, fair and credible.

Earlier, President Jacob Zuma also thanked the political parties, independent candidates and their supporters for contributing to a largely peaceful, free and fair election.

"You have shown the world that South Africa is a thriving democracy where differences of political opinion and diverse political preferences are allowed to flourish," Zuma said.

Political parties waged their campaigns under different political banners, however, they are one people, said Zuma.

"In this regard, the elected representatives must govern on behalf of and in the best interests of all South Africans. They must build an accessible, caring and efficient local government system throughout the country, regardless of which party controls the municipality," Zuma said. Endit