Parties get physical in bid to win voters

Tensions ran high in Estcourt yesterday when the three dominant parties in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands clashed.

Voting in the Wembezi township's C section was marred by fighting between ANC, IFP and NFP members.

Candidates and their supporters tried to outdo one another at Ezamunkuthula Primary School, playing loud music, and pushing and shoving in a last-gasp attempt to get to the voters. At one stage, the feuding got physical.

Elderly voters were caught in the crossfire as they made their way to the polling station, with candidates of the three parties trying to get their attention.

Voting at Wembezi High School was stopped for two hours when two voters with the same name but different ID numbers tried to vote. IFP members were quick to claim vote rigging. IEC officials and police had their hands full as they tried to quell tensions and reopen the polling station.

The police presence was strengthened and the arrival of national police commissioner Bheki Cele helped calm rowdy voters, party members and candidates.