For the majority of municipal election voting stations on the mid-South Coast it was relatively smooth sailing, except for Mistake Farm (ward 6) in Umzinto where residents chose to take a stand against voting this year. This resulted in serious unrest, a policeman being shot (not fatally) and Police Minister Bheki Cele being called in. Certain members of the community in the area had begun protesting from Saturday (October 30), during the special votes period. It is believed that an altercation ensued between residents and their local councillor and his armed bodyguards, which sparked the unrest. Residents said they were unhappy and felt that the councillor was not a deserving candidate and should not have been on the ballot. What started off as attempted mediation between the councillor and the community quickly turned into a brawl. Police then received a complaint of an attack on the councillor and, upon their arrival at the scene, they too were attacked with stones and firearms. Several members of the community, as well as policemen, sustained injuries. Saps vehicles were stoned and damaged with bullet holes too. The situation was eventually brought under control, but the community continued to protest against voting.

Minister Cele visited the area the following day (October 31) to meet with the community and call on more law enforcement to keep order in the area. Even though he urged residents to vote to make change, the residents chose to continue protesting against voting and on Monday this week (November 1) they blocked all roads and entrances to Mistake Farm with debris and blocks to prevent anyone from going to voting stations.

Police presence was heavy throughout the day and the situation has remained tense. For other parts of the mid-South Coast, voters were happy to be part of this year’s municipal elections.

While visiting one of the voting stations in Park Rynie, a senior citizen mentioned that he is the only member of his family voting this year as the rest of his family have simply given up hope for change. “I am still happy that I got the chance to make my mark,” he said. Many other locals in the area shared similar sentiments to the elderly man and went out to vote in the hopes of having their voices heard or to simply opt for change. It was however evident that the voters turnout this year was rather poor compared to previous years. HAVE YOUR SAY Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram