There was a heavy police presence in Juju Valley on the outskirts of Polokwane in Limpopo, which was recently the scene of bloody political scuffles between ANC and EFF members.
Juju Valley was characterised among the 24 high-risk voting stations, prompting the police to deploy a large number of personnel to keep an eye on tensions in the area.
However, the political tensions did not stop residents from heading to vote, with long lines of people eager to cast their ballots.
They stated that voting would result in the government attending to the plight of the destitute.
Police issue stern warning
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, said the police were well-equipped to deal with any incidents of violence.
“We have deployed a heavy police contingent all over the province to ensure that these elections are incident-free. Our roving team is monitoring the situation closely,” said Hadebe.
“We are issuing a stern warning that those who might attempt to disrupt these election processes will face the full might of the law.
“I must report that we have not received any disturbing reports on areas we categorised as hot spots. This operation will continue until the last day of the elections.”
Hadebe revealed that the police are investigating cases of assault, vandalism of election posters, and contravention of Section 107 of the Electoral Act in Juju Valley.
The majority of the locals say South Africa urgently needs regime change, and that change will come from the EFF.
Noko Masegela, an 86-year-old resident, arrived in an EFF-branded sedan in the morning with her grandchildren.
Masegela said her vote went to the EFF because she has had enough of the ANC’s empty promises.
Sidelined by ANC officials
“I live in abject poverty with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We survive through social grants because there are no jobs,” she said.
“I just hope this young man from our neighbourhood wins so that we can get services.”
Because of their political allegiance to the EFF, Mpho Maloba claimed that the ANC has marginalized them for far too long.
He said whenever there are opportunities for extended public work programmes, ANC government officials sideline them.
“The ANC-led Polokwane municipality is denying us services because they want to punish the EFF,” said Maloba.
“The council has a huge municipal infrastructure grant, but that budget does nothing to improve the livelihood of the people of Juju Valley.
“We know that when Malema takes over as the head of state, he will address our service-delivery problems. We are supporting him through these elections, and we are hopeful that he emerges triumphant.”
Service-delivery challenges
For the first-time voter, Lebo Lekalakala, the excitement to cast her vote was palpable.
She said: “I have been long waiting for this day, and it has eventually arrived to exercise my democratic right to vote for a party of my choice.
“First and foremost, I am hoping that my party addresses the myriad service-delivery challenges that have gripped Juju Valley.
“Here, we live in corrugated shacks that leak during rainy seasons. Water supply is a major challenge, while our roads are not friendly for motorists.”
Despite the popularity of the EFF in some parts of Polokwane, Seshego, the largest township in Limpopo, is a fiercely contested terrain.
However, not everyone in this area is falling for the Malema charm offensive.
Malema not the leader SA is looking for
Next to Malema’s home in the Masakaneng Section of Zone 1, Cosmo Manale said: “The so-called son of the soil is not the angel naïve people see him.”
Manale, who said he witnessed Malema during his formative years, said the EFF leader is not the kind of leader South Africa is looking for.
Juju Valley was established in 2016 when Malema made a call for land occupation, and the people of Seshego took heed of the command and invaded private land in Ward 13.
Nearly every shack in Juju Valley is festooned with red EFF posters.
