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Security cluster reports 20 election-period murders ahead of Wednesday's polls

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

Natjoints says seven arrests followed the 20 murders of political representatives, party members and supporters during the local government election period. It also reported 139 election-related criminal cases and said security forces are ready for voting on Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, co-chairperson of Natjoints, briefed the media in Pretoria on Sunday night. Gauteng had the most murders with 7, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 6 and the Western Cape with 3. The Eastern Cape had 2, and the Free State and North West had 1 each.

Police arrested 48 suspects in election-related cases. Of the 139 cases, 69 are under investigation, 8 went to the senior public prosecutor and 25 are in court. The Electoral Act offences were the largest group with 72 cases and 22 arrests.

Mosikili said no marches or protests will be allowed and that they will count as a crime. Reports said Natjoints has identified 331 high-risk voting stations, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. She said police capacity is adequate to respond to these risks.

Mosikili said campaigning ends at midnight on Tuesday. She said heightened election security will not suspend ordinary policing. SANDF Lieutenant General Siphiwe Lucky Sangweni said the defence force has aircraft to move voting materials and officials if bad weather blocks roads.

Key facts

Who
Tebello Mosikili (NATJOINTS chairperson and Deputy National Police Commissioner); National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (security cluster monitoring the elections); Electoral Commission of South Africa (Election body (IEC) working with the Security Cluster); South African Police Service (Investigating election-related crime)
What
The security cluster NATJOINTS warned parties and supporters against intimidation, violence and disruption ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Mosikili said marches and protests will not be allowed and that 331 high-risk voting stations, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, have been identified.
When
2 November 2026
Where
Pretoria, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
Status
Reported

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