The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Limpopo expects security to be beefed up ahead of the August 3 local government elections in Vuwani.

“We are preparing for elections and everything is order, Vuwani is a very difficult area; we expect security to be beefed up so that we can proceed with our work,” IEC provincial chairperson Nkaro Mateta said on Friday.

In May disgruntled residents, who were protesting against being placed under a new municipality in Vuwani, threatened not to vote. They told the government and IEC officials that they would not vote unless they remained under the Makhado municipality.

The violent protests saw 24 schools torched and property destroyed. Thousands of children were unable to attend school, as a result. However, matric pupils were sent to study camps.

The protests started in April soon after dissenting Vuwani residents lost a high court bid to be excluded from the new municipality, which forms part of Malamulele.

Mateta said 11 political parties, including Malamulele Association, the formation that championed the establishment of the new municipality, will contest the polls.

The African National Congress, Congress of the People, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters, African Christian Democratic Party and Ximoko Xa Rixaka are the other parties that are contesting.

Mateta also revealed that the IEC has received complaints from candidates whose street posters had been vandalised.

Mateta said most complaints were received from independent candidates who were either threatened or intimidated by members of political parties.

Meanwhile in Dzanani a delegation of government officials led by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Des van Rooyen, were on Friday locked in a meeting with VhaVenda King Mphephu Ramabulana.

Vuwani community leader Nsovo Sambo said residents would not participate in the election for as long as the Municipal Demarcation Board decision insisted that they were part of the new municipality.