By Montsho Matlala & Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged a group of villagers from Limpopo to approach the police after their chief ordered them to vote for the African National Congress (ANC) or "face his wrath".
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Mpumalanga provincial electoral officer Steve Ngwenya said nobody had the right to instruct anyone whom to vote for.
"This is a criminal case. A case should be opened with the police immediately. (Tshivhase) has contravened the code of conduct in the electoral act. That's a serious offence," said Ngwenya.
The drama started in the small village of Phiphidi village near Thohoyandou during the celebration of the rehabilitation of the Tshivhase Tea Estates on April 16.
Royal chief Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase told villagers that they should vote the ANC to stay in his good books.
"This is my land. The tea plantations, the grass and the mountains are mine. I therefore instruct all my subjects to vote for the ANC. You media people and journalists can write what you want about me, I don't care. I say vote for the ANC," said Tshivhase.
Tshivhase made the statement in front of agriculture MEC Dikeledi Magadzi and Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale, who made no effort to censure Tshivhase. - African Eye News Service