Local Elections news

Voting station arrest, misinformation warning issued in Limpopo

A 33-year-old woman is due in court after an alleged Electoral Act offence at a Ga-Chuene voting station. In a separate warning, Limpopo police urged residents not to share misleading election-related posts online.

LIMPOPO – As voting continues across Limpopo in the 2026 Local Government Elections, police have urged residents to help keep the electoral process peaceful by avoiding the spread of misinformation and respecting procedures at voting stations.

Voting station disruption investigated

The warning comes after a 33-year-old woman was arrested following an alleged disruption at a voting station in Ga-Chuene, while police also cautioned the public against sharing old videos and images falsely presented as current election-related incidents.

According to police, the incident occurred on Tuesday at the Baptist Church voting station in Marulaneng, where the deputy presiding officer was compiling voting statistics after receiving a request from an area manager.

Police allege a party agent recorded the process on a cellphone without the deputy presiding officer’s permission before showing the footage to other party agents. The group allegedly entered the voting station and disrupted the process.

Police officers responded to the scene and restored order before arresting the 33-year-old woman.

She is expected to appear in the Lebowakgomo Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on a charge of allegedly contravening Section 76 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act. Police investigations are continuing.

Police warn against misinformation

Police have also appealed to residents to avoid sharing unverified election-related content on social media, warning that old videos, photographs and misleading information presented as current incidents could create unnecessary panic and fuel tensions.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers said police were monitoring social media platforms and would respond to posts intended to incite violence or disrupt public order.

“We want to discourage the spread of misinformation because it causes unnecessary panic and conflict and may negatively label individuals and communities,” Scheepers said.

He urged residents to verify information before sharing it and to help ensure the remainder of the election passes peacefully.

While police say voting across Limpopo has remained largely calm, they have reiterated that any actions disrupting the electoral process or encouraging unlawful behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

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Matthew Vilar

Matthew is a Digital Coordinator based in Polokwane, Limpopo, working across Review Online and the Herald titles (Letaba, Hoedspruit, Phalaborwa, Mopani and Regional). With an interest in nature, film, photography and music, he enjoys finding creative ways to tell stories and connect with local communities.

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