Khutsong: 1 vote, 1 station

2006-03-01 09:18

Carletonville - Only one person had voted at the Zion Christian Church polling station in Khutsong by 08:40 on Wednesday, said Independent Electoral Commission officials.

Nobody seemed to be paying any attention to the nearby Kamohelo polling station's tent and police armoured car for security.

Down the road, curious Khutsongers of all ages inspected the charred wreck of a Merafong municipality security van torched just before midnight on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a police helicopter flew overhead keeping a hawk's eye on the first hours of the voting day.

A night of bucketing rain put a dampener on protestors' activities.

As the sun came out on Wednesday morning a white lorry, escorted by an armoured police car, toured the polling stations delivering portable toilets.

Stay-away

Khutsong residents are refusing to vote in protest against the government's decision to incorporate Merafong municipality into North West from Gauteng.

A dozen residents of Khutsong's mainly RDP housing Extension Three, had earlier bucked the trend in the volatile township by queuing to vote.

IEC officials were still setting up their stations when the polls were supposed to open at 07:00.

One of the voters hoped his ballot would bring about improved housing, water supply and alleviation of unemployment.

Earlier, residents said they feared their houses would be torched if they were seen cast ballots at the 18 polling stations in the area.

A police armoured vehicle is stationed at each of the polling stations.

In the past month, a number of councillors' houses have been razed in the protest over the provincial demarcation issue.

On Tuesday night some residents had threatened to burn down a voting tent, but on Wednesday the tent was still standing.

- SAPA