This is according to the IEC's Provincial Manager, Elkin Tomkin, who told OFM News this was earlier today as the angry group tried to stop community members from voting by throwing rocks at them. 

While he told OFM News that one person was arrested, police spokesperson in the area, Mohale Ramatseba, denied this, stating that the police have made no arrests and dispersed the group and since then, matters have calmed down.

Meanwhile, the IEC's Provincial Electoral Officer, Bonolo Modise, told OFM News so far there has been calm at other areas they had earlier anticipated would be problematic, for example, the Joe Morolong Local Municipality, which covers several villages such as BlackRock and Van Zylsrus. Apart from unrest in Holpan, Modise said there is a general sense of calmness in the province with a steady voter turnout, despite bad weather in some parts of the province.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa's provincial manager in the province, Elkin Topkins, earlier said the police have opened the centre and have also threatened to arrest anyone from stopping voters to participate in the election.

Topkins also said that there was a heavy police contingency at the Holpan voting station and that residents of that community who intended on intimidating those who intend to vote would suffer heavy consequences as the IEC, in conjunction with the police and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority, have protocols in place to ensure that offenders are prosecuted faster than they normally would.

OFM News