/ 28 February 2006

Khutsong voters urged to make their mark

The Merafong municipality, which includes Khutsong, said on Tuesday it is pleased that elections will take place there and hopes law enforcers will protect voters during and after elections.

”Although the decision is contrary to the expectation of some sections of the Khutsong community, we are pleased that elections will take place in Merafong,” its said a statement reacting to Monday’s Pretoria High Court ruling.

The court turned down an application to postpone the elections over a dispute about whether Merafong should be transferred to the North West from Gauteng.

”The decision restores our confidence in the judiciary of the republic. The judgement goes a long way in protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional responsibility to vote.

”It is our sincere hope that law-enforcement agencies of the country will, in upholding the supreme law of the republic, do their best to protect voters against proponents of violence and intimidation during and after elections.

”May the people of Merafong be allowed to vote for candidates of their choice in a free and fair environment.”

Call to vote

Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi has urged voters in the Merafong municipality to vote for the party of their choice on Wednesday.

”We are pleased that the community of Merafong will be able to participate in the local government elections at the same time as the rest of the country,” Mufamadi said.

”We therefore urge all eligible voters to go out and vote for the party of their choice on Wednesday. The poll offers an important opportunity for individuals to have their say on how matters of their community are run. Let us respect this right.

”We call upon everyone to respect the rule of law. The government will do all in its power to create an environment that is conducive for a free and fair election.

”Rumours that being located in a new provincial boundary means that pensioners will receive lesser grants or a reduced salary for state employees are simply untrue.

”We must remember that the main objective of the realignment of these boundaries is so that there is proper coordinated support within all three spheres of government so that there is accelerated delivery and improvement in conditions for the people in these municipalities,” Mufamadi said.

Boycott

Earlier, a South African Communist Party organiser said Khutsong residents are intent on going ahead with their boycott of Wednesday’s municipal elections.

”Yes, we are going to boycott the vote,” Paul Ncwane said.

He was ”very disappointed” by the Pretoria High Court’s judgement, but claimed there are no candidates standing in the area for whom to vote.

However, African National Congress spokesperson Steyn Speed said the party has candidates in all 26 wards of the Merafong local authority, including Khutsong.

The South African Police Service said it will deploy additional staff to police the area on Wednesday and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said it is ready to go ahead with voting in the area.

”Elections in Khutsong would go ahead. We would, as is allowed in the electoral law, make a decision on the day to continue or not. But for now we would continue,” advocate Pansy Tlakula, IEC chief electoral officer, said after Monday’s court ruling.

Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said she had not received any reports of violence in the area overnight. — Sapa