Police in South Africa registered 57 criminal case dockets on voting day during the 2026 Local Government Elections. This was disclosed by Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili, Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), during a Security Cluster briefing at the National Results Operations Centre in Midrand on November 5. Mosikili stated that 85 incidents were reported across the country on November 4, resulting in 57 criminal case dockets and 27 suspects arrested.
The 57 cases registered on voting day included 32 alleged contraventions of the Electoral Act, while the remaining cases involved assault, intimidation, malicious damage to property, theft, crimen injuria, drunk and disorderly conduct, public violence, business burglary, and fraud. Mosikili said the arrests demonstrated the responsiveness and operational effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. She emphasized that the electoral environment is protected by the rule of law, and intimidation, violence, electoral misconduct, and criminality will not be tolerated.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of criminal cases on voting day, with 15, followed by Limpopo with 11, the Eastern Cape with 10, and Gauteng with eight. The Western Cape recorded four cases, while Mpumalanga and North West registered three each. The Free State recorded two cases, and the Northern Cape one. Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests, with seven suspects apprehended, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with six and Limpopo and the Eastern Cape with four each.
The briefing also revealed that 21 murder cases classified as politically motivated had been registered in connection with the election period. Mosikili stated that these include the murder of a MK Party member in KwaZulu-Natal. Police are also investigating separate killings in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. Mosikili said police were processing murder cases that occurred outside voting stations and outside voting hours.
Two additional deaths were reported since Monday, involving an elderly woman who collapsed and died upon arrival at hospital in Shallcross, KwaZulu-Natal, and an IEC official who died following a similar reported incident at Buhrmansdrift in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West, on November 2. Police also recorded 65 criminal case dockets during special voting on November 2 and 3, resulting in 32 arrests.
Limpopo recorded the highest number of arrests during special voting, with 11 suspects apprehended, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with eight. Combined with the 27 arrests on voting day, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with criminal cases recorded during the election period stood at 59. Mosikili said coordinated security deployments ensured that voting day was conducted in a largely conducive and safe environment, with minimal disruptions.
Security operations prioritised 331 identified high-risk voting stations across four provinces. Mosikili stressed that electoral violations and criminal conduct would be dealt with decisively, irrespective of those involved. Meanwhile, counting, reconciliation, verification, and capturing of election results remain underway nationally. Mosikili added that operational responsibilities would continue, with particular emphasis on protecting voting materials, securing results operations, and safeguarding the integrity of the results-management process.
Key points
- 57 criminal cases registered on voting day during South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections.
- 21 murder cases classified as politically motivated during the election period.
- 59 suspects arrested in connection with criminal cases recorded during the election period.
