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Disgruntled Vuwani residents snub voter registration

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The long-standing demarcation dispute in Vuwani, Limpopo marred the registration drive. Disgruntled community members had called for a stay-away and IEC staffers were threatened and prevented from doing their work.

A makeshift voting station outside Avhatondi Primary was deserted apart from IEC staffers. Teachers and community members locked the school, denying electoral staff access. They are still angry about the inclusion of their area in the new Collins Chabane Municipality.

The demarcation dispute has seen violent protest action in past years. Residents torched thirty schools and several government buildings after they were not allowed to have their own municipality.

The pro-Makhado group says it called for the stay-away because boundaries have not been re-determined and they’re not getting municipal services.

The stay-away call was effective at 14 of Vuwani’s 34 stations. Registration proceeded at the remaining stations.

By 2pm, 62 voters had registered at Edison Secondary.

The IEC said it would negotiate with community leaders to allow registration to proceed.

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