20 political-linked murders, 139 election crime cases recorded as South Africa heads to polls - IOL

NATJOINTS Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili reveals election-related crime statistics during a security readiness briefing in Tshwane on Sunday.

Police have recorded 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters, with only seven arrests made in connection with the killings, as South Africa prepares for the November 4 local government elections.

Deputy National Commissioner for Policing and Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, revealed the figures during a media briefing at the SAPS Academy in Tshwane on Sunday, November 1.

The figures have raised security concerns ahead of the elections, with authorities intensifying operations to prevent political violence, voter intimidation and disruptions at polling stations.

Mosikili said police had registered 139 election-related criminal dockets nationally since the start of the 2026 local government election processes, resulting in 48 arrests.

Mosikili expressed particular concern about killings involving political representatives, party members and supporters.

"We remain particularly concerned about incidents involving the loss of life during the election period. 20 murders with 7 arrests effected have been recorded in incidents involving political representatives, party members and supporters," Mosikili said.

According to the figures, Gauteng recorded the highest number of murders, with seven, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with six.

The Western Cape recorded three murders, the Eastern Cape two, while the Free State and North West recorded one each.

Mosikili said police had prioritised investigations into the killings, deploying specialised investigators, including the Political Killings Task Team, alongside provincial and national detective structures.

Mosikili revealed that 139 criminal dockets had been registered nationwide during the election period.

Of these, 21 cases were reported during the first voter registration weekend, 13 during the second registration weekend and 105 outside the registration weekends.

A total of 48 suspects have been arrested, while 69 cases remain under investigation.

Eight cases have been referred to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision, while 25 have been enrolled in court.

"These figures reflect ongoing law enforcement efforts to investigate reported offences and ensure that perpetrators are brought before the courts," Mosikili said.

Offences under the Electoral Act accounted for the largest number of reported cases, with 72 incidents and 22 arrests.

Other offences included 14 assaults, 10 murders, 10 intimidation cases, eight incidents of malicious damage to property, seven theft cases, one attempted murder and 17 other offences.

The separate figure of 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters was also reported during the briefing, although Mosikili did not clarify its relationship to the 10 murder cases listed among the 139 election-related dockets.

Mosikili said security assessments were taking into account political tensions, service delivery protests, anti-foreigner sentiments, labour disputes and other developments that could destabilise the electoral environment.

In KwaZulu-Natal, authorities are monitoring protest-related developments, including compliance with a recent Durban High Court interim order involving the Minister of Police and March and March.

The order restricts intimidation, violence, property damage and road obstructions, while prohibiting demonstrations within 100 metres of voting stations during voting, counting and the announcement of results.

In the Western Cape, taxi-related violence remains an operational concern, with law enforcement agencies continuing interventions to stabilise affected areas.

Mosikili warned that police would not tolerate attempts to intimidate voters, threaten election officials or prevent citizens from exercising their democratic rights.

"No individual or organisation has the right to obstruct voting stations, threaten electoral officials, intimidate voters or undermine another person’s democratic rights," Mosikili said.

"Government, through NATJOINTS, will respond decisively to criminal conduct, with all offenders dealt with in accordance with the law, while protecting legitimate political participation and peaceful protest."

She called on political parties, candidates and supporters to exercise restraint and avoid conduct that could undermine the elections.