Giyani woman in court over photo of her marked ballot

A 39-year-old Giyani woman arrested for allegedly photographing her marked ballot paper has appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court, the South African Police Service said in a media statement.

The incident happened at Khomisani High School voting station on Wednesday, 04 November 2026, at about 18:00, during the 2026 Local Government Elections.

According to the police statement, the presiding officer was on duty at the station when she noticed the woman taking photographs of her ballot paper after marking it. The presiding officer reportedly told her to delete the photographs, and she refused.

The matter was then reported to police, who attended the scene and opened a case. The woman had already left the voting station by the time officers arrived.

Police identified her as Caroline Baloyi, aged 39. She was arrested and charged with contravening Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, which deals with photographing a marked ballot paper.

Baloyi was released after appearing in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court and will appear again on Monday, 09 November 2026. The investigation is continuing, police said.

The statement was issued by the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo. Enquiries can be directed to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba on 082 451 7180.

Source: South African Police Service, https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72284

Note: The SAPS statement gives the date of the court appearance as 05 November 2926. The Enquirer has not corrected the figure because the source document has not been amended.