Ramaphosa asks king to help calm riots in Vuwani
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa paid the Venda king, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana a visit on Saturday in a bid to convince him to calm the demarcation riots in Vuwani
LIMPOPO – Ramaphosa said he was not happy with the demarcation riots that prevented thousands of people from registering to vote.
“I wish to see all South Africans registering to vote. Let’s build our democracy,” he said.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had to shut-down 19 out of 35 voting registration stations in the Vuwani area due to intimidation and riots over the weekend.
Provincial electoral officer, Nkaro Mateta, said she was disappointed by the intimidation directed at IEC officers by the Pro-Makhado group, and added that “innocent people were denied their right to register for vote”.
“Some of these 19 stations were open for an hour and were quickly closed as riots progressed. Some areas were inaccessible due to burning tyres,” Mateta commented.
She said the people of Vuwani might be under the impression that registering to vote meant they would legitimise the proposed new municipality, while the purpose of the day was to get voters’ names onto the voters roll.
Asked if the IEC was going to extend the registration dates, Mateta said they were waiting for the commissioner to announce new dates.
Ramabulana agreed to work with Ramaphosa to calm the situation in Vuwani. He said people should exercise their democratic right to register to vote.
