Protesting ANC members deny Nyandeni residents their right to register to vote

Issued by Mlindi Nhanha, MP – DA EC Provincial Spokesperson
19 Sep 2021 in Press Statements

Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and isiXhosa by Mlindi Nhanha MP

The DA is appalled but not surprised by reports of illegal protests in some voting districts in the Nyandeni Municipality by ANC members who are unhappy with candidates being forced on them in the run-up to the 2021 Local Government Elections.

Once-again the ANC is showing absolute contempt for the people of our country by denying would-be voters their constitutional right to register in order for them to be able to vote in the elections on 1 November 2021.

Yesterday, 18 September 2021, two voting stations in the Nyandeni Municipality were closed down by these protesting ANC members, who are unhappy about ward candidates that were put forward by the ANC.

The voting stations that were closed down on Saturday and as of this morning are yet to open again, are Mdikane Junior Secondary School (Ward 25) and Ngolo Senior Primary School (Ward 11). This morning Ntaphane Junior Secondary School (Ward 12) was also initially closed down due to protesting, but eventually opened two hours late.

This is an assault on our democracy and cannot be accepted.

The DA will monitor the situation to ensure that the residents of the Nyandeni Municipality are not denied their constitutional right to register and to vote on election day.

The DA is the only party with credible candidates in every ward in every municipality for the elections, and also stands ready to save the people of Nyandeni from the corrupt, inept and uncaring ANC.

The ANC’s time in the Eastern Cape is up and the people of the province are sick and tired of broken promises.

The DA is the only party that South Africans can trust because where we govern, we deliver services to all the people and indeed we get things done.