TWO 19-year-old male suspects were brought before the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court in Tshwane on Monday, 6 May, facing charges under Section 92 of the Electoral Act.
They are accused of unlawfully removing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) election placards in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, on Friday, 3 May.
The court has postponed their case to Thursday, 9 May for a formal bail application.
— Aaron Dube (@AronDube) May 6, 2024
EFF Tshwane regional chairman, Obakeng Ramabodu, said the suspects were apprehended in the act, alleging they were instructed by someone else to commit the deed.
"We are eager to uncover who orchestrated this criminal act. It's a serious violation of the Electoral Act to remove a political party's posters. We await the court's decision on this matter," Ramabodu said.
He noted that such incidents predominantly occur in Afrikaner-dominated areas like Queenswood and Waterkloof.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa: No tlof tlof before you vote!
"I'm puzzled by the animosity towards our posters, given they represent the hard work of our ground forces. The EFF stands out for its visibility in Tshwane," he said.
Ramabodu emphasised the EFF's disciplined approach to campaigning, contrasting it with other parties' tactics.
"It's baffling that someone would deliberately target our posters. However, they won't succeed in removing them all. We're taking this legal battle very seriously," he said.
He also warned against the removal of EFF billboards and posters or harassment of its members, urging EFF supporters to maintain discipline.
"We're addressing this issue lawfully, not through anarchy. We suspect an organised effort to target EFF posters and seek legal protection," Ramabodu said.
