Two arrested in Limpopo as election posters burn and a party T-shirt goes up in flames

Police in Limpopo arrested two men on Monday, 2 November, in separate election-related cases, one for allegedly pulling down election posters and one for assault and intimidation after a complainant’s political party T-shirt was forcibly removed and set alight.

The poster case was registered in the Mankweng policing area, where a male suspect was arrested for allegedly unlawfully removing election posters. Police say the incident was reportedly captured on video. He faces a charge under Section 92 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, and a case was opened at Mankweng Police Station.

The accused has appeared in court and the matter was remanded. The SAPS post gives the remand date as 30/02, a date that does not exist on the calendar, and the correct return date could not be established from the material supplied.

The second arrest came in the Sekhukhune District, in connection with an assault and intimidation case. It is alleged that the complainant’s political party T-shirt was forcibly removed and then set alight during an incident involving people allegedly affiliated with a political party. A case was registered at Sekhukhune Police Station and police say investigations are continuing.

Both arrests fall under the 2026 Local Government Elections, which police say they are monitoring for election-related incidents.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers, said SAPS would not tolerate intimidation, violence, or the unlawful destruction and removal of election material. He urged political parties, their supporters and communities to respect the law, exercise political tolerance and resolve differences peacefully.

Police said they would continue to monitor election-related incidents and act against anyone found violating the law. The two cases are being handled separately, one in Mankweng and one in Sekhukhune.