Investigation launched after ballot boxes found in a bin in Pretoria

Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of three ballot boxes in a bin at Zamintuthuko Primary School in Mamelodi, East of Pretoria. The school was used as a voting station on election day.

Residents reported the matter to the police after pupils from the school were found playing with stamped ballot papers on Tuesday. Community member, Eric Sibiya says they rushed to the school after being alerted of the discovery.

“When we arrived, we found some ballot papers on the street, so we secured the ballot papers and put them in the corner, and we called the police to come and assist us on this issue.”

Sibiya, a party agent who was present at the voting station on election day, says they left the ballots with IEC officials and police after counting was complete on Monday evening. He says someone must account.

“We want full accountability and some explanation on what exactly happened. How did ballot papers and ballot boxes end up on the streets? Knowing very well that our community has come out to vote, how did the rest of the material end up on the street.”

Police are investigating the matter. Spokesperson, Brigadier Vish Naidoo says they are waiting for a statement from the IEC.

“Well, yesterday we received a complaint from a member of the public that there were children playing with ballot papers in ballot boxes at a school there and when we got there, we did find ballot papers. We have since opened a case in terms of the electoral act that is currently under investigation, and we are yet to receive a statement from the IEC as to what those papers were doing there and which polling station those ballot papers were from.”

LGE 2021 | Police investigate discovery of marked ballot boxes in streets of Mamelodi: