adminDAY two of the voter registration weekend started at 8am yesterday at voting stations across the country, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said on its Facebook page. A total of 22 263 voting stations were open. Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor visited the township of Bekkersdal in Gauteng yesterday, where incidents of intimidation and violence led to the closure of seven voting stations on day one of the voter registration weekend. Ms Pandor yesterday encouraged people to register to vote.
The troubled township was quiet yesterday, but the police were still monitoring the situation after the violence on Saturday, day one of the voter registration weekend.
“It has been quiet. There was no violence this morning. We have increased police visibility in Bekkersdal,” said Colonel Lungelo Dlamini. He said no arrests related to Saturday’s incidents had been made.
IEC spokeswoman Kate Bapela said yesterday the commission was “studying” the environment where voter registration was taking place.
“We are allowing the process to simmer . . . and we will comment later.” It was reported that a mob on Saturday torched a municipal building, barricaded roads, and intimidated residents wanting to register to vote in next year’s general election.
The township was the scene of violent protests several weeks ago, when people demanding better service delivery and the removal of their mayor set government buildings alight and children writing exams were taken out of school. — Sapa.
Online Reporter