Ten people appeared in the Douglas District Court yesterday (November 9) for allegedly damaging election material and obstructing Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials after entering a closed voting station. 

The accused are Danfrid Morolong, Bennert Hendricks, Abrich Niewenhuizen, Velaphi Makabe, Tevin Katz, Godwin Leukes, Zenobia Smit, Jennifer Lovern, Elemery Jacobs and Douglas Njiji. 

Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the Northern Cape NPA spokesperson, said the accused are charged with contravening sections 71(1) and 73(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000. 

Morolong also faces a separate charge of contravening Section 73(2) of the same act in connection with an alleged incident at another voting station, registered under a separate police case number. 

Election material damaged 

“The 10 accused’s charges relate to the alleged destruction or damage of voting and election materials, as well as allegedly hindering or obstructing IEC officials in the exercise of their powers and the performance of their duties,” said Senokoatsane. 

He added that according to the allegations, the accused unlawfully entered a voting station after it had been declared closed, while preparations for the counting of votes were underway or while counting was in progress. 

“It is alleged that they were not authorised to be inside the voting station as they were not accredited party agents. They allegedly damaged ballot boxes, ballot booths, ballot papers, tables and chairs inside the voting station.” 

Bail proceedings resume 

The matter was postponed to today (November 10) for the continuation of bail proceedings. 

Senokoatsane said the integrity of elections and the ability of electoral officials to perform their duties without unlawful interference are fundamental to a constitutional democracy. 

“Those accused of undermining the lawful administration of elections must be dealt with in accordance with the law, while their right to a fair trial remains protected.” 

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