IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya announced the decision on Sunday evening, confirming the commission would arrange a revote. Ballot papers were allegedly destroyed before they could be counted. 

“The commission has determined that a revote must be organised in Ward 3, Siyancuma municipality, for voting at Jabulani Community Hall,” Moepya said. The incident occurred on Thursday (5/11) at Bongani Community Hall in Douglas, where a group of political party supporters allegedly forced their way into the counting station following a dispute over ballot papers.

He said the commission had also approached the Electoral Court and registered a criminal case with the police. Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lt. Col. Tebogo Thebe said eleven suspects face charges relating to the incident, including contravention of the Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2007, malicious damage to property, assault, and intimidation.

The charges include the alleged destruction of ballot papers and damage to the municipal community hall. The suspects are expected to appear in the Douglas Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with the alleged destruction of 100 ballot papers at Bongani Community Hall.

Thebe said six people were initially arrested, but one was later released after investigators could not positively link him to the crime. Four additional suspects were subsequently arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to ten.

The Northern Cape department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs welcomed the IEC’s decision to order a revote.

MEC Lebogang Motlhaping called on elected councillors, municipal officials, and local stakeholders to work together in a spirit of accountability, transparent governance, and dedicated public service.

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