ANC opens criminal cases over poster destruction in KwaZulu-Natal

ANC in KwaZulu-Natal lodges criminal complaints after campaign posters removed

The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal says it has opened criminal cases after reports that its election posters and other campaign material were removed or damaged across the province ahead of the November 4 local government elections. The party has named candidates from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) in its complaints and has urged police and the Electoral Commission to act.

Allegations, names and locations cited by the ANC

According to the party’s provincial spokesperson, Sifiso Sonjica, reports came in overnight of posters being removed in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC has accused MK Party Ward 41 candidate Lindiwe Happiness Nxumalo of damaging its election materials in KwaMashu, alleging video evidence showed her removing or damaging posters alongside family members. The party also accused FF+ candidate Michelle Wright of removing ANC campaign material in Margate, within the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, allegedly together with her son.

The ANC described the incidents as threatening to the province’s peace and said the pattern amounted to a sustained attempt to destabilise the campaign environment.

Party response and legal framing

The ANC has framed the removal and defacement of campaign material as a breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct under the Electoral Act and said such acts could constitute malicious damage to property. The party urged immediate police action and a formal investigation by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

“Political campaigning is a fundamental right enshrined under Section 19 of the Constitution,”

In its public statements the ANC warned that passive responses from authorities would be inadequate. The party said it had formally opened criminal cases and demanded arrests, arguing that:

“passive commentary from authorities is entirely insufficient when lawless acts threaten a free and fair election environment”

The ANC also described the incidents as what it called “brazen political hooliganism” and accused opponents of resorting to criminal sabotage as campaigning intensified. The party concluded its public remarks with a further warning:

“The ANC will not be intimidated by desperate reactionaries relying on anarchy in a desperate attempt to avoid their impending defeat at the polls,”

What the ANC wants the IEC and police to do

The ANC has asked the IEC to open swift investigations and to use its statutory powers to impose the maximum available penalties. Specifically, the party asked the commission to consider:

• financial penalties;
• the forfeiture of electoral deposits; and
• referrals to the Electoral Court for potential disqualification.

Alongside these requests to the IEC, the ANC has urged law enforcement to pursue the criminal matters it has lodged.

Other reports of campaign material removal across the province

The ANC’s complaints come amid other instances of campaign materials being taken down in KwaZulu-Natal. According to IOL, ANC posters and street pole banners had been removed along Durban’s M4 North. The source also noted that an IFP candidate in Phoenix had reported the removal of her campaign posters on two separate occasions.

Why removed campaign material matters

Campaign materials such as posters and banners are a visible element of election campaigning, serving to inform voters about party presence and candidates. When material is removed or defaced, it can reduce a party’s ability to reach voters and contribute to a charged atmosphere during a competitive campaign. For these reasons, parties and electoral authorities commonly treat deliberate removal or destruction of material as a serious matter.

How allegations like these are typically handled (general context)

When criminal complaints are filed, law enforcement agencies generally record statements, gather any available physical evidence and examine electronic recordings if they are offered. Electoral management bodies may open parallel inquiries under electoral rules to determine whether codes of conduct were breached and whether administrative or disciplinary measures are appropriate. These processes are procedural in nature and vary according to the evidence presented and applicable law.

What remains unclear

The ANC’s statement cites alleged video evidence in at least one case and names specific candidates in others, but the party’s public release does not provide additional detail about the scope of the investigations, the locations of each alleged incident beyond those named, or whether arrests have been made. The ANC’s call for immediate arrests indicates it expects swift law-enforcement action.

What to watch for next

In the coming days, readers should look for confirmation from the police on the criminal cases the ANC says have been opened, any statements from the IEC about investigations or sanctions, and any responses from the candidates the ANC has named. Public updates from law enforcement or the electoral commission will clarify whether the incidents led to charges, administrative penalties or further legal action.

For now, the ANC has signalled that it views the removal and damage of its campaign material as part of a broader attempt to influence the campaign environment and has placed the onus on authorities to respond.