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Police log 21 election-related cases, arrest 6 suspects

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said five of the cases have gone to court. The cases include murder, arson, intimidation and theft of election material. The army does not expect to deploy soldiers in Wednesday's election.

NATJOINTS briefed the media in Pretoria. Co-chairperson Tebello Mosikili, who is also Deputy National Police Commissioner, said police recorded the 21 case dockets since Monday. The incidents also include destruction of election material and impersonating officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Two of the six suspects were arrested for impersonating an IEC official at Ingcobo in the Eastern Cape. The fact sheet also lists Mmametlake in Mpumalanga and Pienaar and Christiana in North West as places linked to incidents.

NATJOINTS said law enforcement agencies remain on high alert. It said they will act against anyone who tries to interfere with the electoral process.

SANDF Brigadier-General Martin Gopane said the military does not foresee problems that would need soldiers. He said the defence force remains on standby and is ready to deploy if the need arises.

Key facts

Who
Tebello Mosikili (NATJOINTS co-chairperson and Deputy National Police Commissioner); Martin Gopane (SANDF Brigadier-General); National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (briefing body on election security); South African National Defence Force (military; says it is on standby for election security)
What
The NATJOINTS briefed the media in Pretoria on election-related criminal incidents, including murder, theft and destruction of election material, arson, intimidation and impersonating IEC officials. It also said the SANDF does not anticipate needing to deploy soldiers in Wednesday's election, though the military remains on standby.
When
3 November 2026
Where
Pretoria, Ingcobo, Eastern Cape
Status
Reported

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