THOBANI DLAMINI
DURBAN - ISIPINGO ward 90 residents blockaded Old Main Road in protest against the voting process in eight of its polling districts on Monday morning.
ANC Women’s League chairperson in the ward Tracy Chiliza said some of the people in the community who had voted in the same districts in the last two elections were told that their names did not appear on the Electoral Commission of SA’s (IEC) system.
“One of our concerns is people were turned away from their voting districts and sent to uMlazi where they have never voted or lived, which led to some not even voting in the election,” Chiliza said.
The ward was won by the DA in the recent local government elections, replacing outgoing ANC councillor Brijmohan Sunil.
Chiliza said they did not have a problem with the party that won their ward; however, they did want the IEC to respond to their plea sent via email last Wednesday, asking for it to clarify the technical glitches that led to some people not voting.
“Different political parties have won this ward before and we do not take issue with the one that has been voted in by the majority in this ward. However, we are angry with the IEC’s lack of communication when it concerns wrongdoing on their side,” Chiliza said.
Resident Pamela Ndlovu, 29, who has lived in the area for the past 10 years, said her brother was unable to vote at one of the voting stations in the area.
“My brother was told he is not eligible to vote at the Orient voting station, because he apparently does not live in the area, according to the IEC. But the worst thing is he was not provided with a solution in order to vote,” Ndlovu said.
IEC provincial spokesperson Thabani Ngwira said the IEC was aware of the protest.
“The commission is working on the formal objection lodged with it. The residents should allow all processes to be exhausted and do a follow-up,” Ngwira said.
In a statement, the DA’s Tim Bruteseth condemned the protest.
“Not only does this criminal action disrespect democracy and the rule of law, but also gravely affects scholars, workers, consumers and business owners alike. The DA stands by councillor Nowbuth as the democratically elected ward councillor and will resist all efforts, criminal or otherwise, to remove him and strongly condemns any action that seeks to undermine democratic processes and calls on the SAPS to urgently intervene, stop the protests and pursue those involved,” Bruteseth said.
Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said officers responded to a call of a roadblock in the Isipingo area.
“A multi-operational response team made up of the public order police unit and the operational members of Isipingo was met with a volatile crowd which complained about election-related issues – the voters were unhappy with the voting process,” Sewpersad said.
Daily News