A police officer was precautionarily removed from the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, for alleged ‘unprofessional conduct’.
This according to police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda who said there could be possible internal disciplinary processes to investigate the allegations.
“Information available at this stage is that the police Sergeant arrived at a voting station in a vehicle which was branded with posters of a political party. The officer was posted at a voting station at Mphithini area in Donnybrook,” said Netshiunda. He added that voting at the station in question went ahead seamlessly following the incident.
SAPS Acting Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Phumelele Makoba has reiterated that no unprofessional conduct by police officers will be tolerated.
“We reminded our officers of their responsibilities and how they must conduct themselves. Apart from internal disciplinary steps, we shall investigate contravention of any applicable Act so that we investigate the matter holistically and open criminal proceedings if investigations direct us to do”, said Major General Makoba.
In a separate early morning incident, a suspect was arrested for assaulting police officers at a voting station in Umlazi last Wednesday morning.
“The suspect reportedly arrived at a voting station at M Section in Umlazi drinking and seemingly under the influence of alcohol, and assaulted police officers who attempted to contain his unbecoming behaviour at the voting station. The suspect was duly arrested for assault and other charges relating to the contravention of the Electoral Act might be added,” said Netshiunda.
He said that three K9 police officers sustained minor injuries when the vehicle they were driving to a voting station collided with two cattle in the Ibisi policing precinct. The officers were discharged from hospital on the same day and declared fit to proceed with their duties.