Twenty arrested in Limpopo as election offences pile up, ballot-paper photos among them
SAPS says about 33 election-related cases have been registered in the province since local government elections began on Monday, with some suspects already in the magistrate's courts.
Twenty suspects have been arrested in Limpopo for election-related offences since the 2026 Local Government Elections began on Monday, the South African Police Service says. About 33 cases linked to election incidents have been registered across the province, according to a police statement carried by SAnews (South African Government News Agency).
The registered offences range from contravening the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 to fraud, common assault, malicious damage to property and pointing a firearm.
Among the incidents police described were cases where individuals allegedly contravened the Electoral Act by photographing marked ballot papers on their cellphones and then circulating or publishing the images on social media. Police said the conduct is prohibited under electoral legislation and undermines the secrecy and integrity of the voting process.
Other incidents of alleged unlawful conduct during the election period led to criminal cases being opened and suspects being arrested, police said.
Some of the arrested suspects have already begun appearing before their local magistrate’s courts. The statement does not name any of the suspects, the specific incidents or the courts involved.
Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers, the Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, welcomed the arrests and commended SAPS members, other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders for what the statement described as their work to ensure a safe and peaceful election period. He thanked stakeholders for their support, cooperation and prayers.
Scheepers said SAPS would not hesitate to take action against anyone who violates the law, regardless of their position or affiliation, and that all reported cases would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The account is a summary issued by the government news agency rather than the full case record, so the charges, the identities of the accused and the outcomes of the court appearances are not set out in it.
Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/20-nabbed-limpopo-election-related-offences
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