2019 elections voting south africa how to vote

Voters at Idutywa Town Hall). Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams casting her vote duting Local Municipal Elections at Idutywa Town Hall in Idutywa, Eastern Cape. South Africa. on 3 August 2016. Photo: GCIS/Siyabulela Duda

2019 Elections: Ballot box set alight in Potchefstroom

A ballot box was burned in Potchefstroom, ahead of the general elections.

2019 elections voting south africa how to vote

Voters at Idutywa Town Hall). Deputy Minister of Communications Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams casting her vote duting Local Municipal Elections at Idutywa Town Hall in Idutywa, Eastern Cape. South Africa. on 3 August 2016. Photo: GCIS/Siyabulela Duda

Potchefstroom SAPS confirmed that a ballot box was burned in the North West region, following the arrest of six individuals for their involvement in the torching of a presiding electoral officer’s vehicle in the Ganyesa ahead of the general elections.

Ballot box destroyed in Potchefstroom

As reported by Olebogeng Motse from OFM, a ballot box was destroyed in Potchefstroom, located in Ward 19, in the Ikageng township. No arrests have been made, and authorities are investigating the matter.

We reached out to Lieutenant Colonel Kiki at the SAPS Potchefstroom, who confirmed that an empty ballot box was set alight on Monday morning, 6 May.

With only one day to go, tensions are running high. Authorities are cautioning members of the public against impeding other citizen’s right to vote during the upcoming general election.

High-risk areas identified ahead of elections

Earlier today, residents set alight a presiding officer’s vehicle in Ganyesa, North West. Authorities confirmed that the officer didn’t sustain any injuries during the attack.

Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed last week that the North West province had been identified as a high-risk area, prone to violent protests. He added that 51 000 officers would be deployed to voting stations on 8 May.

In addition, KwaZulu-Natal was deemed as a hotspot as well. Siphiwe Dlamini, with government’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, confirmed that security teams would be on standby during the elections:

“A high-risk area is a place where there is a likelihood, or there have been incidents of violence to the point that people have either been killed, hurt or property has been damaged. These are concerns.”

Also read – Elections 2019: Suspicions raised about ballot boxes found near Tzaneen

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