Police are investigating the alleged theft of more than 400 ActionSA election posters, valued at R28 000, which were reportedly removed from streetlights across Ward 78 in Centurion since October, reports Pretoria Rekord.

The posters were allegedly taken from several roads, including Pierre van Ryneveld Avenue, Nellmapius Drive, Trichardt Avenue and Botha Avenue.

Lyttelton police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that a theft case had been registered and was under investigation.

Van Dyk said no arrests had been made.

The case was initially registered at Wierdabrug police station on October 9 before being transferred to Lyttelton police.

ActionSA raises concerns over campaign interference

ActionSA Ward 78 councillor candidate Gaahele Mokgoro said more than 400 posters had been removed from streetlights across the ward since October.

She said the party had invested money in the campaign material to communicate with residents and raise awareness of its candidates and election campaign.

Mokgoro said the removal of the posters raised concerns about the fairness of the campaigning process.

“Elections are supposed to be free and fair. However, it cannot be free and fair if there are people who continue to remove our posters after ActionSA spent its resources to communicate with residents via streetlight communication,” she said.

ActionSA regional chairperson Derick Mahlangu also expressed disappointment over the removal of the party’s campaign material and urged those responsible not to interfere with its campaign.

What the law says about election posters

The Electoral Code of Conduct, contained in the Electoral Act, prohibits the defacing, unlawful removal or destruction of election posters and other campaign material belonging to political parties or candidates.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa states that anyone who breaches the code commits a criminal offence and may face a fine or imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Political parties found to have breached the code may also face sanctions, including fines of up to R200 000, forfeiture of their election deposits or restrictions on campaigning in certain areas.

Other possible sanctions include the cancellation of votes cast for a party in an affected area or, in serious cases, the cancellation of the party’s registration.

The investigation into the alleged theft of ActionSA’s posters is ongoing.

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