Margate police have opened a case under the Electoral Act after a political party’s Local Government Election campaign posters were removed from Munro Avenue in Margate last week.

According to KZN police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, two suspects were seen removing the posters and loading them into a vehicle.
However, no arrests have been made as yet.

It is alleged the posters were removed by a VF Plus ward candidate. The woman was caught on video last Thursday with ANC posters in her car boot.

Some community members confronted the woman and asked her why she had removed the posters.
ANC spokesperson, Lindo Mzimela, confirmed the party has opened a case with police.
Mzimela said ANC posters had gone missing in parts of Margate, but he did not know the reason.

“We have opened a case against her because she was caught in the act; she was not even remorseful. We will also open a case at the IEC because she is a candidate for the VF Plus and she should be removed from standing for the position.”

Meanwhile, the KZN VF Plus is also conducting its own investigation.

“Once our investigation is concluded, appropriate action will be taken,” said KZN VF Plus convener Philip van Staden.

The Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Ugu District manager, Zolile KaSiphiwo, said removing political posters is a criminal offence and the affected political party has every right to open a case.

“I made it clear at our last meeting that defacing posters of other political parties is a criminal act, and it should be reported to the police.”

KaSiphiwo added that political parties were previously unaware that action can be taken, and the police know exactly what to do in such cases.

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