The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in the northwest has expressed concern over the removal of election posters in the province.
The party said such incidents were more frequent in the Ngaka-Modiri-Mollema region, which includes the regional capital Mahikeng, Lichtenburg and Seerast towns.
The country's fourth-largest political party has filed a criminal complaint with police over the incident. According to the electoral code of conduct, it is prohibited to destroy, remove or deface posters of other parties.
IFP state leader Themba Gwabeni said he believed the vandalism and removal of the posters was a clear attempt to deny people the right to campaign vigorously in the state.
“We found that our posters were taken down across the province. In Ngaka, Kungwana, Atamelang, Setropo and Majemansho, the situation was so bad that we filed a complaint with the South African police.”
North West Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgabong said an investigation had been launched.
“We can confirm that a case of violation of section 92 of the Elections Act 1998 has been registered at Romanianen Police Station. A specialized team in charge of election-related cases is investigating. No arrests have been made.” – Report by Thabiso Moss