MPUMALANGA — Police have opened a case following the Bushbuckridge voting station murder, after a man in his 50s (identified as 57 by police and 55 in initial reports) was fatally shot in Mpumalanga just after midnight. The incident occurred outside a polling site in the early hours of election vote counting, prompting stark warnings from electoral officials to ensure public safety.
The fatal shooting took place at Boikhutso Trust near Dwarsloop in the Bushbuckridge municipality. According to authorities, the incident happened while election officials were actively counting votes. Witnesses reported that the atmosphere nearby was initially celebratory, with people listening to election results on radios from their vehicles. During this time, two individuals arrived at the scene, and one of them shot the victim several times. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that a murder case has been officially registered. He noted that the victim was identified as a supporter of one of the political parties, and investigators are currently working to determine if the killing was politically motivated.
“The motive is not yet established and it will form part of the investigation,” Brigadier Mdhluli stated. He confirmed that a provincial joint team of investigators, specifically tasked with looking into cases relating to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), is handling the matter. This specialized team is operating under the leadership of Lieutenant General Nkankoane Apaphia Modise.
Police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information regarding the suspects is urged to contact the Crime Stop number at 086001 or submit tips anonymously via the MySAPS mobile application.
While voting progressed relatively well across the province and early results were already emerging from various municipalities, the Bushbuckridge incident was not the only irregularity reported. Brigadier Mdhluli noted that police also intervened in Matsulu, where voting materials were quarantined after it was discovered that a voting bag had been opened.
Despite these isolated security and procedural incidents, authorities maintain that the broader electoral process in the province remained largely stable. Meanwhile, the IEC, upon being notified of the fatal shooting, issued stark warnings to the public, urging all participants to maintain peace and prevent further violence during the electoral period.
