Emotions ran high yesterday when the DA opened criminal cases of assault and theft against the ANC at Witbank Police Station.
The charges follow an incident in which elected DA ward councillor Sipho Mthombeni was allegedly assaulted and had his cellphone stolen by members of the ANC.

DA constituency leader Maureen Scheepers confirmed that cases of assault and theft were formally opened against Nkangala District Council Whip Conny Nkalitshana and the ANC.

According to Mthombeni, he received an urgent call from DA party agent Lucky Matlaune, who reported being harassed and threatened by ANC members. Mthombeni went to collect Matlaune, but when ANC members arrived, both men ran to hide before being tracked down.

Mthombeni alleged that Nkalitshana took his phone during the ensuing confrontation. He further claimed that Matlaune was subsequently kidnapped and forced to sign a statement designed to favour the ANC in the election.

Nkalitshana admitted to being on the scene during the incident, but denied taking Mthombeni’s phone.
She stated that ANC members went to Matlaune’s house after receiving reports that voting figures were allegedly being rigged. Nkalitshana showed Witbank News a written statement in which Matlaune claimed he had been paid R1 200 to manipulate voting numbers.

Witbank SAPS confirmed that cases of theft and assault were opened.
Under electoral regulations, political parties dissatisfied with voting station results have 48 hours from the time figures are shared to lodge an official objection.The election results were officially gazetted yesterday.

Read more:IEC sets record straight on Emalahleni voting results

The IEC has responded to concerns about ballots in Wards 4 and 23 in Emalahleni Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/JxyNIV19aG

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) November 7, 2026

Witbank News reached out to ANC regional spokesperson Clarence Maseko for comment.

“The ANC is internally listening to all sides privy to the allegations. Once clarity prevails, the ANC will certainly issue a formal statement, and appropriate action will be taken thereafter,” Maseko said.

At the time of publication, IEC Mpumalanga spokesperson Thandoxolo Chembeni had not responded to an enquiry on whether an official complaint or election objection had been lodged.

Read more: Parties on verge of lodging ballot complaints in eMalahleni as counting continues

Allegations of assault, stolen cellphones and vote-rigging claims have surfaced following a confrontation between DA and ANC party representatives in eMalahleni. #voting2026 #IMadeMyMark @WitbankN @ZitaGoldswain https://t.co/OtRel0HV7Z

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) November 12, 2026

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