The IEC Electoral Officer, Tumeloentle Thiba, says the morning figures have revealed that the North West has had a voter turnout 6% above the national figure. Thiba expects that more residents will continue to brave the cold conditions in the province and let their voices be heard. More than 1,7 million people registered to vote in these elections in the North West, the highest number of registered voters in central South Africa. The province was identified as a high-risk area by the South African Police Service, with eight hotspots flagged. One of these areas is the Dithakong Village outside Mahikeng. Unrest was reported in the area early on Wednesday morning, but Thiba maintains that none of the four voting stations in this village were disrupted.

The stations are all functioning, despite some challenges officials are facing to get to the area. “You might know the roads leading to those stations are a little bit difficult to manoeuvre because they are gravel roads. And on account of protests last week, some of them have been barricaded with stones”.

There are 1 733 stations in the province. Two of those located in Ganyesa opened late, not because of unrest but rather because the officials themselves were delayed. During the special voting period, the Mmadinonyane township in Ganyesa garnered media attention after a group of people torched an IEC presiding officer’s car and damaged a second one. The military was even deployed in the area to keep the situation calm. It appears that all those efforts have yielded results with no disruptions reported.

The North West province is currently under national care following corruption and maladministration allegations that have been levelled against the former Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. The controversial figure stepped down following violent protests coined #SupraMustFall.

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