With the possibility of the ANC losing local elections in Pretoria and Johannesburgh they are stepping up their campaign, while their supporters are stepping up violence.
South Africa’s intensifying protests could lead to electoral violence in Augusthttp://qz.com/717716/south-africas-intensifying-protests-could-lead-to-electoral-violence-in-august/excerptOnce lauded by the international community for a peaceful election in 1994 while other voting African nations devolved into violence, South Africa is now contending with pockets of deathly unrest directly linked to local elections to be held throughout the country on Aug. 3.
In the capital city of Pretoria, recent chaos gripped some of the city’s poorest townships for nearly a week as protesters burnt buses and cars, blocked roads, and looted businesses in rejection of a mayoral candidate they believed was being forced onto them. Five people died and about 200 people were arrested before the violence was finally quelled last Friday (June 24).
Voters in the Aug. 3 elections will decide which parties will govern which cities and municipalities. They also will choose their local ward councilors, the political officials who arguably are closest to the ground and to the voters.
