Mon séjour en Afrique du Sud (Cape Town)

Law enforcement agencies continued to monitor the situation at Wembezi Township, outside Estcourt last night, after acts of political intolerance at some of the polling stations in the area.

Early yesterday a small group of unruly IFP supporters tore down ANC flags from a cavalcade before blocking the road with rocks at Wembezi Township’s C Section.

Additional SAPS, the SANDF and military police forces were later deployed to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

IFP members then gathered outside the main polling station in the area before the arrival of ANC provincial chairman Zweli Mkhize.

Clad in IFP regalia and chanting anti-ANC slogans, these supporters made it clear that they “did not want any ANC members in C Section”, considered an IFP stronghold.

Mkhize visited the polling station in the township hall where he interacted with the public, amid jeers from IFP supporters who were kept at bay by heavily armed police and army personnel

Later, at Emahhashini also in Wembezi, a confrontation between IFP and ANC members was averted by the presence of the army and the police.

Mkhize visited the area and spoke to leaders from both parties, telling them they had to take responsibility for the actions of their members.

The police and SANDF had their hands full trying to avoid clashes between the rival groups who had gathered on either side of the main road in the township.

The ANC accused the IFP of busing supporters from C Section into the area, while the IFP said that their supporters had been provoked by the presence of Mkhize’s armed bodyguards.

The IFP Umtshezi constituency chairman said the party viewed the presence of bodyguards, who were “brandishing big guns”, as a tactic used to threaten IFP supporters.

Mkhize said the situation at Wembezi was worrying because it could have easily erupted into violence.

“This is definitely the area to watch. Everywhere else it has been quiet and there is excitement everywhere. People are excited to be voting and the mood is very good,” he said.

Mkhize also voiced concerns about marked ballot papers found in Ulundi. He said that the clashes between ANC and IFP supporters and the marked ballot papers were an embarrassment for KwaZulu-Natal.

No other major incidents had been reported by last night. Mkhize also visited other polling stations in Estcourt and surrounding areas.

Another ANC heavyweight to visit the area was Siyabonga Cwele.

Cwele, who is also the minister of intelligence services in KZN, said yesterday that police would remain in Wembezi until Friday, but their presence could be extended if necessary.