Three deaths were reported at or near voting stations during South Africa’s 2026 Local Government Elections, with police investigating a fatal shooting in Mpumalanga, as well as the circumstances surrounding a body discovered at a Limpopo polling station.

The third incident happened in the North West, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirming the death of one of its officials during the first day of special voting.

Fatal shooting outside Mpumalanga voting station

According to the Lowvelder, a 57-year-old man was shot dead outside a voting station in Boikhutso, Bushbuckridge, in the early hours of this morning (November 5).

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the shooting occurred at around 00:15 while a group of people were celebrating outside the voting station and waiting for the counting process to be concluded and the results announced.

“It is alleged that two unknown male suspects emerged and started firing shots at the group before fleeing the scene,” said Mdhluli.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. A family member rushed him to hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival.

Police have opened a murder investigation. The motive for the shooting is unknown and no arrests had been made at the time of publication.

Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise ordered the mobilisation of all available resources to track down those responsible.

Body discovered at Limpopo voting station

In Polokwane, police have arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the murder of a 31-year-old man who was stabbed at a park opposite Florapark Comprehensive School at about 05:00 today (November 5).

According to a police statement, the deceased was among a group of people relaxing at the park when an altercation broke out between two people who allegedly belonged to the same political party.

Although the initial confrontation was reportedly resolved, the suspect is reported to have returned, confronted the man and allegedly stabbed him in the neck before fleeing.

Emergency Medical Services were called, but the man was declared dead at the scene.

Police recovered a knife suspected to have been used in the attack.

The motive for the killing remains unknown and investigations are continuing.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (November 6). 

IEC presiding officer dies in North West

The IEC also confirmed the death of a presiding officer who collapsed at a voting station in Mafikeng on Monday (November 2) during the first day of special voting.

The commission’s deputy chief electoral officer, Masego Sheburi, announced the death during a media briefing, reports The Citizen.

“With a sad heart we announce the passing of a presiding officer who collapsed at a voting station and has sadly passed on in Mafikeng,” he said.

The IEC expressed its condolences to the official’s family and confirmed it was providing support to the family and colleagues affected by the death.

In the same briefing, Sheburi reported that another election official, a deputy presiding officer in the uKhahlamba District in KZN, had been taken to hospital after being involved in a motor vehicle accident.

The commission said it was also providing support to the injured official.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.