LIVE | LGE 2026: 27 arrested on Voting Day as police investigate 21 politically motivated murders - IOL

Police recorded 85 incidents and arrested 27 suspects on Voting Day during the 2026 Local Government Elections. NATJOINTS also confirmed 21 politically motivated murder cases are under investigation as ballot counting continues nationwide.

Our journalists are out in the field bringing you live coverage from the Local Government Elections, they are speaking to political leaders, analysts and communities following Wednesday's voting. 

Make sure to keep tuned to the IOL live blog for rolling coverage. 

A long queue of voters forms outside Bardale Primary School in Mfuleni, Cape Town, as IEC officials work late into the night, pushing to process the remaining voters after 9pm.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has opened a criminal case after a ballot box and a security pack was stolen from Mnyameni Secondary School in KwaNyuswa, under the eThekwini Metro.

South Africans head to the polls in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The biggest test for incoming municipal administrations will be turning political promises into improvements in communities where service delivery, accountability and governance remain pressing concerns.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted allegations of corruption, tender manipulation and councillors being bought by business interests, warning that violence and intimidation must not undermine the elections.

He said the polls offered voters an opportunity to reshape municipalities and demand better service delivery, while acknowledging that corruption, patronage and political power struggles had damaged public trust in local government.

The political landscape is also becoming increasingly fragmented. An Ipsos Khayabus Pulse of the People survey published ahead of the elections found that no party commanded majority support nationally. The ANC attracted 30% support among registered voters who selected a party on a simulated ballot, followed by the DA on 28%, the MK Party on 12% and the EFF on 10%.

The findings point to the possibility of further coalition arrangements in municipalities, continuing a trend that has reshaped local government in recent years.

In eThekwini, the MK Party has indicated that it is preparing for the possibility of taking control of the municipality and its R75 billion budget, although the final electoral outcome and any coalition negotiations remain to be seen.

Security preparations have been stepped up ahead of voting day. Police have recorded 20 murders involving political representatives, party members and supporters during the election period, with seven arrests in connection with the killings. A further 139 election-related criminal dockets have been registered nationally, resulting in 48 arrests, according to NATJOINTS.

The SANDF has been placed on standby to support police in identified hotspots if necessary, while intelligence-led operations have been activated across all nine provinces.

In KwaZulu-Natal, thousands of officers are being deployed to help secure more than 4,300 voting stations, results centres and other election sites. The province has more than 5.8 million registered voters across 54 municipalities.

Concerns have also emerged around misinformation and possible intimidation. The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change identified 79 potentially harmful social media posts over a seven-day period, including claims of election rigging and calls for people to confront foreign nationals at voting stations. The organisation cautioned that the findings did not independently establish coordinated activity or impending violence.

The special voting process has meanwhile experienced some logistical difficulties. More than 780,000 special votes were cast on the first day, according to the IEC, despite delays at some voting stations. In Cape Town, more than 200 stations reportedly experienced delays linked to ballot paper shortages.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the IEC is investigating an overnight break-in at Amahlongwa Community Hall in which three ballot boxes and other voting equipment were stolen. The commission said the incident would not affect special voting, as ballot papers and the stamps used to validate them were kept in secure storage.

As voting stations prepare to open from 7am to 9pm on Wednesday, the focus will be on ensuring that voters can cast their ballots safely and that the results reflect their choices.

The longer-term challenge, however, will be whether those elected can restore confidence in municipalities and deliver the reliable water, electricity, roads and public services that residents expect.