{
  "id": 18773415,
  "title": "ActionSA unhappy with coin toss process in Ba-Phalaborwa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/actionsa-unhappy-with-coin-toss-process-in-ba-phalaborwa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T19:05:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/actionsa-unhappy-with-coin-toss-process-in-ba-phalaborwa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ActionSA, a political party in Limpopo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the coin toss process used to determine the overall winner of Ward 5 in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality. The party's chairperson, Victor Mothemela, claims that they were not adequately briefed on the details of the coin toss. Mothemela states that they were only informed that their branch chairperson for Ward Five was to toss the coin, with no information provided about the location, time, or who would conduct the toss. Furthermore, the ANC candidate secured equal votes as ActionSA, and the coin toss was required to break the tie in their favor. Mothemela expressed disappointment but decided not to take any further action to contest the outcome. However, Nkaro Mateta, the IEC provincial Electoral Officer in Limpopo, assured that the party followed the guidelines laid out in the Municipal Structures Act, specifically Schedule 1, Item 8. According to this legislation, if a tie occurs, the municipal electoral officer must inform the candidates, explain how the law applies, and have them sign to confirm their understanding before proceeding with the coin toss.",
  "summary": "ActionSA and the ANC got equal number of votes and the toss was used to break the tie, and ANC won.",
  "key_points": [
    "ActionSA unhappy with coin toss process in Ba-Phalaborwa.",
    "Victor Mothemela, party chairperson, claims lack of briefing.",
    "ANC candidate tied with ActionSA, coin toss to break tie."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}