Limpopo man arrested for photographing marked ballot paper - IOL

Police have made another election-related arrest in Limpopo after a 32-year-old man allegedly photographed his marked ballot paper during special voting.

Limpopo police have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly photographing his marked ballot paper at a voting station, while a manhunt is under way for another voter accused of sharing an image of his ballot paper on social media.

Police said the man was arrested for allegedly contravening the Electoral Act 73 of 1998.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the arrest followed reports that two male voters had photographed their marked ballot papers using their mobile phones at Chuchekani Primary School voting station in Humulani settlement on Monday, November 2, 2026.

“According to reports, the first incident occurred at about 10.am when a 32-year-old male voter allegedly photographed his ballot papers after casting his vote,” Mashaba said.

He said the presiding officer confronted the voter and informed him that photographing marked ballot papers was against electoral rules.

A second incident was reported at about 1.40pm  when another male voter allegedly photographed his marked ballot papers.

“When confronted by the presiding officer, he reportedly became aggressive, verbally insulted her and left the voting station,” Mashaba said.

He added that at about 1.50pm, one of the voters allegedly posted an image of his marked ballot paper on his social media status.

“The presiding officer subsequently reported both incidents to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and was advised to open a case with the police.”

Mashaba said the case was reported after the voting station had closed and both suspects had already left the premises.

The 32-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday, 3 November, and is expected to appear in the Lulekani Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, police are searching for the second suspect.

“Police investigations are continuing,” Mashaba said.

The latest arrest follows two other arrests in Limpopo linked to alleged election-related offences.

Earlier, IOL reported that police had arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged unlawful removal of election posters and an incident in which a complainant’s political party T-shirt was reportedly forcibly removed and set alight.

The arrests were made on Monday, the first day of special voting for the local government elections.

Mashaba said a male suspect was arrested in the Mankweng policing area for allegedly removing election posters unlawfully.

“The incident was reportedly captured on video,” he said.

A case was registered at Mankweng Police Station for contravention of Section 92 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998.

The accused has since appeared in court, and the matter was postponed to November 30, 2026.

In a separate incident, another male suspect was arrested in the Sekhukhune District in connection with a case of assault and intimidation.

“It is alleged that the complainant’s political party T-shirt was forcibly removed and subsequently set alight during an incident involving members allegedly affiliated with a political party,” Mashaba said.

A case was registered at Sekhukhune Police Station, and investigations are continuing.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers reiterated that the South African Police Service (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 their differences peacefully.

“Police will continue to monitor election-related incidents and act decisively against anyone found to be violating the law,” he said.

Special voting continued on Tuesday, after beginning on Monday. Millions of South Africans are expected to cast their ballots in the local government elections on Wednesday, November 4.