LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: IEC tightens security amid ballot disruptions, arrests and election intimidation
Ballot storage facilities have been targeted, election materials damaged and arrests made across several provinces, leaving thousands of police and the IEC racing to secure the voting process ahead of Wednesday’s polls.
In South Africa's upcoming 2026 local elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has intensified security measures due to recent disruptions and election-related incidents. Ballot storage facilities across KwaZulu-Natal have been targeted, election materials have been damaged, and arrests have been made, leaving thousands of police and the IEC scrambling to secure the voting process.
Prior to the polls on Wednesday, November 4, the IEC beefed up security at ballot storage facilities in KwaZulu-Natal following a series of disruptions, including an incident on November 2 at the Dassenhoek Library Satellite Warehouse in Marianhill, west of Durban. Alleged UMK party supporters stormed the facility, demanding that ballot boxes containing special votes be moved elsewhere, claiming the building was not secure due to a previous break-in. The incident disrupted operations at two voting stations in the area.
Similar attempts at ballot storage facilities in Richmond, Mkhambathini, and Pietermaritzburg were thwarted by police, prompting the IEC to request additional security across the province. IEC's provincial electoral officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga, requested that the South African Police Service (SAPS) reinforce security in all storage facilities in the province.
IEC chief executive Sy Mamabolo identified the Marianhill incident perpetrators as alleged UMK party supporters and said election officials were held hostage before police intervened. However, the MK party's leader, Willies Mchunu, condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and questioned the party's involvement.
The IEC is investigating whether the individuals wearing party clothing were genuine party members or individuals pretending to represent the party. The commission stated that once their identities are established, those responsible will face legal consequences.
KwaZulu-Natal leads in high-risk voting stations, with 165 identified as high-risk, the highest number in the country. Over 10,000 police officers have been deployed ahead of the local government elections, with nearly half of the high-risk stations concentrated in eThekwini. Gauteng also has a significant number of high-risk voting stations, with 119 identified in the province.
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