TZANEEN – Voting has remained largely peaceful across Limpopo on Election Day, although police are investigating two separate incidents in Tzaneen and Giyani that resulted in the arrest of three men for alleged Electoral Act offences.

The arrests come as authorities continue to remind voters to follow electoral laws and procedures throughout the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Ballot box dispute leads to arrests

Two men, aged 34 and 46, were arrested following an alleged intimidation incident at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) office in Tzaneen on Tuesday night.

According to police, concerns were raised about a ballot box from the Tingitsi voting station after it was noticed to have a hole in it, leading to suspicions that it may have been tampered with.

Police say the IEC regional area manager consulted the provincial electoral manager, who instructed that the ballot box be sealed and placed under quarantine.

The two men allegedly demanded that the ballot box be opened and counted in their presence before mobilising others to disrupt the process and intimidate the area manager.

Photographing ballot paper leads to arrest

In a separate incident in Giyani, a 35-year-old man was arrested for allegedly contravening Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Electoral Act by photographing his marked ballot paper.

The two Tzaneen suspects are expected to appear in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Friday, while the Giyani suspect is expected to appear in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court. All three face charges in terms of the Electoral Act.

Police have also reminded voters that photographing marked ballot papers and sharing or publishing the images on social media is prohibited under the Electoral Act.

The warning follows the arrest of more than 10 suspects across various districts in Limpopo for alleged election-related offences.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers urged residents to respect electoral laws, follow voting procedures and protect the secrecy and integrity of the voting process.

Despite the isolated incidents, voting has continued peacefully at polling stations across the province, with police maintaining a visible presence as residents cast their ballots.