Row over chief’s chair disrupts voting station Electoral Commission says

Special voting was disrupted at a Zululand voting station after Inkosi Lungelo Dlamini found someone sitting in his chair, the Electoral Commission says.

The incident happened at the Dlamini Tribal Court in Tholakele village, ward 5 in eDumbe near Bilanyoni.

The commission says Dlamini found his usual seat occupied, shouted at election staff, removed election material from the venue and threatened to close the station.

Zululand regional manager Phakamani Mabaso said officials were trying to resolve the matter with the Inkosi.

“We are in talks with Inkosi to allow us to continue with our work in order to reopen the venue for Tuesday and the actual day of the elections which is on Wednesday. The incident of his chair was very unfortunate,” Mabaso said.

The commission wants the station reopened for the second day of special voting on Tuesday and for election day on Wednesday.

It is not clear how long voting was disrupted, how many voters were affected or who was sitting in the Inkosi’s chair.

Scrolla.Africa has not received a response from Inkosi Dlamini.