Limpopo IEC Provincial Electoral Officer, Ms Nkaro Mateta
The final push for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) registration process is done and dusted amid widespread displeasure and disruptions in some parts of the country.
The Mopani district was not spared as registration was disrupted at some villages after Eskom infrastructure was reportedly vandalised.
The Independent Electoral Commission in the province says Eskom infrastructure has been vandalized, leading to power cuts in some affected villages.
Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta said the IEC was unable to assist eligible voters with registrations and updating of information on the system.
“We received a report that in Tzaneen there has been vandalism of Eskom infrastructure. It looks like there is a trend in Mopani because this matter affected mainly Giyani and other areas So, this matter has affected five villages, Lephepane, Khujwana, Moime, Tlhabine and Mandlakazi. So, we are just hopeful that Eskom will be able to fix the challenge,” said Mateta.
Elsewhere at Ga-Chokoe village outside Mokopane, residents have boycotted the final voter registration.
Dozens of residents have cited lack of consultation on newly effected demarcation boundaries.
They further lamented the chronic scarcity of basic services among the myriad reasons for the registration boycott.
Following multiple community engagements, residents resolved to abstain from registering to vote.
They say initially they fell under Ward 3 and are now in Ward 6.
The Ga- Chokoe Tribal Authority has distanced itself from the mayhem, saying it did not influence the decision by residents to boycott the registration process.
Representative of the tribal authority, Sebolaishi Chokoe says no one was intimidated or prevented them to register to vote.
“As the tribal authority of this village at Ga-Chokoe, Sterkwater, we did not intimidate anyone or to stop anyone to register. People just took their decision that’s all.”
Meanwhile, Mateta has urged people eligible to vote to use IEC’s final online deadline to register to vote.
“The situation at Ga-Chokoe area is quite worrying to us. Apparently, the community held a meeting during the week and took a resolution on that they are not going to visit the station. Clearly, all community members heeded and chose not to visit the voting station. We tried to convince them, but they remained steadfast on their decision to boycott the registration process.” Meanwhile, online registrations will continue until Cooperative Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa officially proclaims the election date of local government elections on August 07