Elections2019: Hostile protests flare up again at Ulundi voting station
“The chaos has started again now. It is difficult here."
The respite from hostile protests was short lived in the vicinity of the Ekujulukeni voting station in Ulundi.
Zululand cluster SAPS spokesperson, Captain Nkosie Gwala, reported that protests flared up once again with burning trees and tyres blocking the access roads to and from the voting station from about 6.45pm this evening.
Apprehension of the possible eruption of violence is evident in the desperate plea made by a police officer stationed at the voting station to his head office,” said Captain Gwala.
“The chaos has started again now,” said the officer.
“But we are waiting for them to finish up at the voting station so that we can move. They are busy blocking the road with fire, stones, and tyres. It is difficult here. It is hard to work here.”
Protests began in the area before the voting station opened this morning, but police appeared to have brought the situation under control at noon.
“The community did not want to allow the IEC officials to get to the voting stations. They even threw stones at the police officers who went out to remove the rocks and burning debris off the road, and the protestors were replacing the rocks that were removed, as the police were clearing up, but we managed to get things under control by midday” reported Captain Gwala this morning.
“My wish is that nobody gets hurt,” concluded Captain Gwala.
ALSO READ: Elections2019: Threats Of Bloodshed And Violent Protests Cause Delays At Zululand Voting Stations
