The ANC in North West has accused opposition parties of causing disruptions during the elections, calling on its party agents to remain calm.

It noted with concern several incidents since the special votes began on Monday (27/5). North West has faced a series of disruptions.

Police and IEC representatives confirmed several incidents, including a fight between party members in Pudumo, which led to a police case being registered. In Ikageng, the defacement of a political party poster resulted in arrests.

Protests also erupted in Kgamothibi, where 50 residents demonstrated at the Itumeleng Community Hall. Additionally, a military tent borrowed by the IEC to serve as a voting station at Jabula Hostel in Rustenburg was stolen. Measures were swiftly taken to replace the tent to ensure the national elections proceeded smoothly today.

ANC provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping accused opposition parties of attempting to sabotage the elections, fingering Ace Magashule’s ACT, the EFF, and ActionSA. “There are certain challenges perpetuated by other political parties, including ACT, the EFF, and ActionSA.

“Incidents have occurred in Mahumutsa, Chaneng, and Taung. These provocations are designed to provoke our volunteers into reacting, which would create chaos. In Mahumutsa, a voting station was closed for about an hour, but the police intervened, and it is now open with people voting.”

Maruping urged ANC members to maintain their composure in the face of these provocations. “We appeal to our party agents to remain calm. The opposition's strategy is to cause chaos and then claim in court that the elections were not credible.”

The situation was tense in the Shaleng Village near Taung in the North West, where some community members were allegedly injured in a confrontation with the police. The community said they would not vote as the area is neglected by the government regarding service delivery. Photo: Facebook/Sinah Gaoage

Maruping expressed confidence that the ANC would maintain its majority power in the North West. He referred to the recent by-election in Madibeng Municipality, where the ANC secured 70,33% of the vote, as evidence of strong voter support.
“In that ward, we received 105 more votes compared to 2021. Those people may vote for us again three weeks later. The evidence in North West shows that we will not lose these elections.”

In the 2021 by-election in the same municipality, the ANC recorded 57,40%. Despite acknowledging ongoing political issues within the party that could impact voter results in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, Maruping refrained from commenting further, stating that the national office would address those concerns.

The 2024 special votes in North West started on Monday and ended on Tuesday. All 1,698 voting stations are open despite challenges. The stakes are high with 1,765,069 registered voters and 38 political parties contesting for 38 seats in the provincial legislature.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg