Ex-miners snub voter registration

Potential voters have largely shunned registering to vote, giving various reasons for not doing so
Potential voters have largely shunned registering to vote, giving various reasons for not doing so

SELEBI-PHIKWE: Though verification of voting statistics is yet to happen, the constituencies of Selebi-Phikwe have registered unsatisfactory numbers during the recently closed voter registration process.

This is attributed to disgruntled residents of the town since the BCL Mine closed two years ago. Residents have blatantly stated in various Kgotla meetings that they were not going to register to vote because nobody, including government cared about their welfare. 

These statements were more pronounced in the BCL locations where a majority of ex-miners stay. Some have been saying that they see no need to register in Selebi-Phikwe because their lease agreement with BCL on housing will lapse at the end of January thereby will be relocating. Though quite a significant population of ex-mine employees and their dependents have left the town, a sizeable number is still around and occupying the mine’s houses. Still, more are likely to leave as the retrenchment exercise on those who are still on care and maintenance is ongoing this month.

Editor's Comment
BDP primaries leave a lot to be desired

The BDP as a party known to have ample resources has always held its primaries well in time, but this time around that was not the case. The first leg of the primaries was held last weekend, with the final leg being billed for the coming weekend. This time around, the BDP failed to shine in its primary elections. The elections were chaotic; most if not all polling stations didn't open at the specified time of 6am. Loyal BDP members braved the...

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