IEC and police launch urgent probe after Siyancuma Independent Forum members storm Douglas voting station
Provincial electoral officer Elkin Topkin said the station has now been declared a formal crime scene
Eyewitness News
Edgemead Primary school voting station in Cape Town. Pictures: Jared Moorgas/EWN
The Electoral Commission of South Africa and provincial police have launched an urgent investigation after members of a local political party forced their way into a voting station in Douglas, tearing up ballots and bringing proceedings to a complete halt.
The dramatic incident unfolded at the Bongani Community Hall in the Siyancuma Local Municipality, where supporters and leaders of the Siyancuma Independent Forum forcibly barged through doors, destroyed election material, and contaminated ballot papers.
Provincial electoral officer Elkin Topkin said the station has now been declared a formal crime scene, warning that the commission cannot proceed with tainted ballots and will haul the offenders before the Electoral Court.
"Members of the Siyancuma Independent Forum barged their way through the doors of the voting station at Bongani Community Hall, destroyed voting station material, tore up our ballot papers, and just caused chaos. The will of the people and the ballot papers have been soiled and contaminated, so we cannot continue with it. The commission will approach the Electoral Court to seek sanctions and propose certain penalties before this council is constituted," said Topkin.
Under the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Electoral Act, intimidation and destroying election material constitute serious criminal offences that carry potential prison terms, heavy fines, or the disqualification of candidates and votes.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola confirms that law enforcement teams have already identified the perpetrators and are working on getting them into custody.
Article by Charne Kemp.