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Residents in two wards in Ntabankulu in the Eastern Cape dug trenches and barricaded roads to voting stations on Monday, reportedly over service delivery issues.
The Independent Electoral Commission in the Eastern Cape said 24 voting stations did not open on time due to various reasons, including community protests.
Provincial Electoral Officer, Kayakazi Magudumana, told Algoa FM News that stations in Port St Johns, Ngcobo, Mzimvubu, Ntabankulu, Matatiele, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Makana, and Nelson Mandela Metro, opened late due to various reasons.
She said while there were several factors leading to the delays in stations opening, in the majority of cases it was due to community action.
"Apparently there were trenches that were dug by communities overnight. Because of that, we were unable to move to our voting stations," she said.
Magudumana said IEC staff were subsequently stuck with material and the SAPS had assisted with escorting staff and conducting patrols. She said by around midday just two stations in Ward 9 in Ntabankulu remained closed because residents dug trenches and placed huge stones across the road.
In a subsequent statement, IEC chairperson, Glen Mashinini said "the Commission, with the assistance of municipalities, was able to fill the trenches and anticipates that the voting stations will be open later today (Mon)."
