Zimbabwean candidate admits trying to rig Adelaide council election

Zimbabwean-born mayoral candidate Jaison Midzi, 44, has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of electoral fraud in connection with the 2022 City of Marion council election in South Australia.

Midzi, who had maintained his innocence for over a year, changed his plea on Monday - the same day his trial was set to begin - admitting to 10 counts of dishonestly exercising a vote at an election or poll under the Local Government Act 1999. Sixteen additional charges were withdrawn, according to a report by The Advertiser.

He was arrested in July 2024 after an investigation by the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) found evidence of fake ballot papers being submitted during the 2022 mayoral race.

The ECSA had flagged 490 suspicious declaration envelopes believed to have been lodged by the same individuals, raising concerns about the integrity of the local election. The Commission intervened before polling day in November 2022 to safeguard the process.

The investigation into the City of Marion poll was part of a broader probe into postal voting irregularities across several Adelaide councils, including West Torrens and the City of Adelaide's Central Ward. The latter election was declared void in April 2023 after a court found that councillor Jing Li was elected through "illegal practices" involving postal ballots linked to foreign students. Li was not personally accused of misconduct.

Outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court, Midzi - a Seacombe Gardens resident and former Citizen of the Year nominee - urged reporters not to "misinform" the public and said he would comment further after his sentencing next month.

He faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison or a $5,000 fine per count.

Midzi, a well-known community figure, has previously served as Chairperson of the South Australia Zimbabwe Association and contested both local and state elections. He ran unsuccessfully as an independent candidate for the seat of Gibson in the 2022 South Australian state election, and also sought a City of Marion council seat in 2018.

Known for his pro-diversity activism, Midzi frequently posted on social media about African unity and anti-colonial themes, once writing on X (formerly Twitter): "One Africa is what we want. The borders came from your greedy Europeans."

During his 2018 campaign, he appeared in a music video with the Diversity Music Collective, dancing outside the City of Marion council chambers and singing the refrain, "Thank you all for trusting me."

Midzi will be sentenced next month.