On August 3, the country and world over, will watch in envy as registered voters will be casting their votes for their respective political parties.
For others, this will be their first democratic elections such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and of major concern are also independent parties on the bandwagon.
Sadly, as a norm the elections are always marred by unrest.
Next to Soweto, two Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) tents were burnt down in Freedom Park on Monday‚ as residents took to the streets to protest power failures in the area.
Making headlines yet again, Vuwani residents in Limpopo are up in arms protesting over the burning issue of demarcation.
Months ago, the region hogged headlines as residents burnt down government properties such schools, libraries and hospitals.
As a result, the affected grade 12 learners had to be arranged a safe learning center in preparation for their year end exams.
Now with current unrest, SANDF has been sent to bolster the already stressed SAPS to try and quell the situation and safely guard those who want to cast votes, although its’ unclear if they will vote having pointed out that they will not.
According to IEC, security has been beefed up at all polling stations throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the country’s two biggest opposition parties will be inspecting the Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Results Operation Centre on Tuesday.
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) national spokespersons‚ Phumzile Van Damme and Refiloe Nt’sekhe‚ are scheduled to pay the Pretoria facility a visit followed by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema leadership at 11am.
“The DA stands ready to make historic gains in Election 2016‚ and the election outcomes rely fundamentally on the IEC’s Results Operation Centre and its readiness‚” a statement said‚ adding that the “most up-to-date electoral prospects in Nelson Mandela Bay‚ Tshwane‚ Johannesburg and Cape Town” will also be revealed.
“…Malema‚ together with the EFF leadership will tour the Independent Electoral Commission Result Centre in Pretoria‚” the party said‚ adding that the visit will be followed by a press conference.
Two ruling party heavyweights – deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and national chairperson Baleka Mbete – will cast special votes in their wards for the 2016 local government elections on Tuesday.