Scuffle erupts over ward count in Kimberley

The SACP is among the parties challenging the counting process in Sol Plaatje’s Ward 18.

Police and party representatives clashed outside a voting station in Kimberley on Thursday as opposition parties challenged the counting process in Sol Plaatje’s Ward 18 and tried to prevent ballot boxes from being removed.

The road outside the Retlameleng Special Needs School voting station was blockaded amid allegations that party agents had been prevented from inspecting ballots and lodging disputes.

The SACP’s Sephiwe Wolfe said party representatives had been told that the ANC had won the ward, but had not been given the winning margin.

“We don’t know by what margin the ANC won. We were just told that they had won.”

She said representatives had tried to prevent the ballot boxes from leaving because they had been unable to lodge a dispute at the voting station.

“We did not allow them to leave with the ballot boxes as we were prevented from lodging a dispute at the voting station.”

Wolfe said a scuffle broke out when political parties were denied access to dispute forms.

“The road was closed at around 3am on Thursday, in an attempt to retain the ballot boxes until they were recounted. Police had to request back-up and we were shoved around and treated like thugs.”

Kimberley Action Group (KAG) chairperson Boyce Makodi said he had requested a recount because he suspected irregularities during the counting process in Ward 18.

“Party agents were not permitted to inspect the ballots. Counting was not done in a transparent manner.

"We will open criminal cases and lodge disputes.”

He added that KAG had not been permitted inside the results operations centre.

Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) provincial electoral officer Elkin Topkin said several disputes had been lodged across the Northern Cape, including an objection from the Patriotic Alliance in Roodepan.

“It is early days and many of the allegations are unfounded. If any party is aggrieved, they are encouraged to lodge a dispute.

"Any material issues will be investigated by the IEC."

He did not believe that the disputes would delay the counting process and warned against disruptions.

“Political parties are not supposed to disrupt and will be removed by the police if they are involved,” Topkin added.