Police investigate electoral material theft in KwaZulu-Natal
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Police are investigating the theft of electoral material, power cuts and possible political interference in KwaZulu-Natal during South Africa’s municipal elections. Twenty election-related murders and 139 criminal cases were recorded nationwide, with 48 arrests, according to figures from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJOINTS.
KwaZulu-Natal police are investigating the theft of sensitive electoral material from a high school in Hillcrest during South Africa’s municipal elections, according to Major-General Phumelele Makoba, the acting provincial commissioner. Unmarked ballot papers, voters’ rolls and electoral ink were stolen from Mnyameni High School, while authorities are also examining power cuts and possible political interference by a police officer.
Procedures required ballots and other sensitive documents to be transported under police escort on polling day and not kept at voting stations. KwaZulu-Natal police recorded 18 criminal cases between the start of special voting and the closure of the voting stations, with seven arrests, including eight electoral law offences and four intimidation cases, according to Phumelele Makoba.
Nationwide, 20 murders linked to political representatives, party members or their supporters were recorded during the electoral period. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) had also recorded 139 election-related criminal cases and 48 arrests before polling day.
The investigation comes as counting continues at 546 voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal, following the 4 November vote and two days of special voting on 2 and 3 November. The province had already been affected by the theft of three ballot boxes during special voting on 2 November 2026.
