Six suspects arrested for disrupting elections in the Eastern Cape

Six suspects, aged between 24 and 51, were arrested at Emavundleni locality, Qhingqolo, Eastern Cape for disrupting elections and contravening the Electoral Act. 

The six were arrested on Tuesday, 28 May, and in the early hours of Wednesday, 29 May. 

SIX SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR DISRUPTING ELECTIONS 

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in the Eastern Cape, Captain Welile Matyolo, said it is alleged that on Sunday, 26 May, at about 16:00, alleged suspects complaining of service delivery in the area destroyed a voting station in the form of a tent.

A case was opened to that effect, and on Monday, 27 May, the same group threatened IEC officials to close the station as no one would vote. 

Again, on Tuesday, 28 May, the same group mobilised road blockage, burning tyres, preventing any movement in the area.

Matyolo said the OR Tambo District detective election team, assisted by Public Order Policing members, conducted an operation on Tuesday, 27 May, and arrested six suspects charged with contravening the Electoral Act. 

“They have been detained at Mqanduli police station and will appear at the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 01 June,” Matyolo said. 

ELECTORAL COMMISSION CRITICISED FOR LONG LINES

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of South Arica (IEC) has been criticised following marathon queues, network failures, technical glitches and a general lack of preparedness during the National and Provincial Elections on Wednesday, 29 May.

Voting stations were supposed to close at 21:00 on Wednesday, however, queues at several voting stations run by the Electoral Commission of South Africa still snaked out the doors and around the blocks, forcing citizens to endure an arduous wait to exercise their democratic right to vote.