Voting went smooth in Randfontein and Westonaria

Despite reports of violent protest actions in parts of Randfontein and Westonaria prior to the National Elections, the process went smoothly for both towns.

The herald was at different voting stations where it was evident that people came out in numbers to have a say in their country as they were seen lining up in long queues to cast their votes.

Just after the elections all South Africans eagerly wanted to know which party was in the lead.

Preliminary reports indicated that the ANC was in the lead in Westonaria with more than 70 per cent of the votes in the area. This, despite a string of violent protest in Bekkersdal where residents destroyed municipal property to the tune of millions.

Final results show that the ANC took 53,95 percent in the Randfontein poll with  31 172 votes.

The DA finished in second place with 18 478 votes, which translates to 331,98 percent of the poll.

The EFF has ousted Cope in the third place with 5 210 votes, which gives them 9,02 percent.

The Freedom Front Plus is in fourth place with 1 085 votes or 1,88 percent.

A slew of other parties, including Cope and the ACDP hold less than one per cent each.

In Westonaria the ANC was seen leading by a significant margin in all but one of the town’s voting districts.

The final tally shows the ANC holds 21 697 votes in Westonaria, which translates to 66,37 per cent.

Initialy, social media was abuzz with people saying that they were surprised by the results in view of the recent violent activities in the area.

On the eve of the elections, Bekkersdal residents already had torched three voting stations but later calm was restored in the area.

According to reports more than 20 000 residents from Bekkersdal had registered to vote but roughly 12 000 voted under heavy police presence.

Although it remains unknown as to how many police and soldiers were in the area, close to 200 000 South African Police Service members and nearly 2 000 soldiers from the South African National Defence force were deployed in areas that were deemed high-risk areas for the elections, with Bekkersdal being one of them.

The ANC also took significant wins in neighbouring West Rand municipalities such as Krugersdorp and Carletonville.