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THE African National Congress (ANC) took a clear lead in South Africa’s general election today.
It had 62 per cent of the vote with about half of ballots counted according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), after sweeping to power two decades ago under the leadership of Nelson Mandela.
Nearest rival the Democratic Alliance took just 24 per cent.
Ultra-left party the Economic Freedom Fighters, led by ANC exile Julius Malema, was in third place with 5 per cent, enough to secure 14 parliamentary seats.
The IEC said voting was heavy in most areas, with turnout at just over 72 per cent.
Polling passed off peacefully in the main, although officials said they were investigating the shooting of an ANC member in KwaZulu Natal, the home of President Jacob Zuma.
The supporter was sitting outside a polling station when he was shot dead, said the ANC, adding that the act was “clearly calculated to undermine free and fair elections.”
Enduring support for the ANC has confounded those who had expected it to wane as the triumphs of its past receded into history and voters focused instead on slow growth figures and a slew of scandals that dogged President Zuma’s first term.
But turnout was strong across the nation’s 22,000 polling stations and voters appeared to be keeping faith with the organisation that had fought for and won the battle against apartheid.
