The eight voting stations in uMkhambathini Municipality in the uMgungundlovu District, in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands, have remained closed. The affected wards are 1, 2, 3 and 5.
At the centre of the closure are threats allegedly by a group of KwaNyavu community members who are demanding the reinstatement of Chief Sikhosiphi Mdluli.
Currently, police are deployed at various voting stations which have remained closed.
IEC Staff members conducting home visits for special votes have had to be escorted by police officers at KwaNyamvu.
LGE 2021 | Voting stations did not open due to threats from the community in uMkhambathini Municipality
The voting stations could not open on Saturday due to threats received from some community members.
Voting stations in Wards 1, 2, 3 and 5 in the Mkhambathini Municipality were locked with padlocks.
“We are now deploying IEC staff from other wards. Those who managed to complete their special votes yesterday(Saturday). So at least it’s people from outside the area. They will be accompanied by SAPS. We are expecting quite a favourable number of SAPS from 2 districts eThekwini and uMgungundlovu cluster,” says Khulekani Mdadane, IEC Regional Manager.
#sabcnews #sabcnewskzn Inhlanhlayabebhezu high school in KwaNyavu number 3 of ward 2 in uMkhambathini Municipality is amongst eight voting stations locked allegedly by community demanding reinstatement of local iNkosi. pic.twitter.com/zfXhmoraH8
— Mlondi Radebe (@mlondiee) October 30, 2021
#sabcnews #sabckzn Inhlanhlayabebhezu high in KwaNyavu number 3 of ward 2 in uMkhambathini munic is among 8 voting stations allegedly locked by community. pic.twitter.com/s9ajRO7IK8
— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) October 30, 2021
More than 18 000-thosand law enforcement officers will be deployed in KwaZulu-NatalKZN
More than 18 000-thosand law enforcement officers will be deployed in KZN during the Local Government Elections. This as protests flared up at Mistake Farm in uMzinto on Saturday. Two people and nine police officers were allegedly injured during an altercation between police and community members. The community was protesting against their councillor candidates. Police Minister Bheki Cele, who addressed the officers on Sunday in Durban, says he will be visiting a number of hotspots in this province.
LGE 2021 I Police Minister addresses media on police deployment to voting stations
