Voter registration proceeds smoothly despite protests

The second and last day for mass voter registration proceeded smoothly today despite previous interruptions caused by community protests in the Free State, Northern Cape and North West. More than 1 500 voting stations are open in the Free State, while there are about 700 and over 1 700 in Northern Cape and North West respectively. The Independent Electoral Commission reported that a few stations were blockaded by protesters who used the high profile registration activities to draw attention to their grievances. A tent was stolen before processes began in Leratong Park, Kimberley. Tents were also either taken or destroyed in Kroonstad, Qwa Qwa, and Harrismith. Stations in Wonderkop and Zeerust North West were also affected. According to spokesperson Tumelontle Thiba, only seven out of over 1 700 stations were not able to be opened. Nomaqhawe Mtebele/OFM News