MTHATHA, Eastern Cape — Voter registration in Mthatha has been disrupted after community members blocked access to local registration centres in the Eastern Cape. The protests, driven by individuals identifying as disgruntled African National Congress (ANC) members, center on unresolved grievances regarding the party’s ward councillor candidate selection process ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The disruptions have directly impacted residents attempting to exercise their democratic rights during the final weekend of the registration period. At least two voting stations, including one at a school and another located closer to the Mandela Park area of Mthatha West, have been forced to close their gates to the public.
According to a local community leader speaking from the ground, the roots of the protest trace back to June. During a gathering intended to select a mayoral candidate, community members alleged that the proceedings were heavily disrupted. They claimed they were denied the opportunity to appoint their preferred candidate and were instead presented with a pre-determined list of names to vote for.
Following the June incident, the community attempted to appeal the decision through official party and administrative offices. Their goal was to secure the right to participate in appointing a ward councillor rather than a mayor. However, with their grievances remaining unaddressed and time running out before the registration deadline, residents took direct action to block the sites and demand attention to their concerns.
The frustration on the ground is compounded by ongoing service delivery issues. A resident of Mandela Park, who arrived early in the morning hoping to register, expressed deep frustration upon finding the gates locked. The resident highlighted a severe lack of basic municipal services in the area, specifically citing a broken septic tank that has gone unaddressed for six months. The resident stated that the closure feels like a direct deprivation of their constitutional right to vote and be heard.
While the exact number of affected registration centres is still being tallied, sources indicate that a third voting station at Kumbu may also have been closed due to similar reasons. Confirmation of this is pending as the situation continues to develop and monitoring efforts proceed throughout the day.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials have not yet issued a formal statement regarding the specific disruptions in Mandela Park. However, monitoring efforts are reportedly underway on the ground to assess the situation, confirm the full scope of the closures, and determine how to safely resolve the access blockades.
