WATCH: ActionSA councillor candidate’s home burnt down

ActionSA has called on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the burning down of the home of one of its councillor candidates in the North West.

The party wants authorities to establish the cause of the fire and determine whether there was any malicious intent behind the incident.

The house, belonging to the party’s Ward 12 councillor candidate in Ramotshere Moiloa, was burnt down on Sunday, 1 November.

ACTIONSA SUSPECTS POSSIBLE POLITICAL MOTIVE

ActionSA said the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including the cause of the fire, remain unknown.

However, the party said it could not rule out the possibility of political motivation, given the hostility and intimidation its candidate had allegedly experienced during the election campaign.

“We sincerely hope this is an unfortunate coincidence and not an act intended to intimidate our candidate, disrupt her participation or undermine the democratic process ahead of the special voting period,” ActionSA Deputy President Mbahare Kekana said.

Kekana said ActionSA had presented the people of Ward 12 with a young, capable female leader who had courageously put herself forward to serve her community.

“At a time when young women continue to raise concerns about their exclusion, lack of support and limited opportunities in leadership, it would be deeply concerning if someone who has chosen to participate in democratic processes were being targeted for exercising that right.

“No candidate should have to fear for their life, property or personal safety simply because they have chosen to contest an election. Political competition must never descend into intimidation, violence, or the destruction of property,” he said.

PARTY CALLS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

ActionSA has also called on the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to remain vigilant and ensure that the 2026 Local Government Elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful environment.

The party said political parties and their supporters must respect one another’s democratic rights and refrain from intimidation, threats, violence or any conduct intended to disrupt the electoral process.

“As we approach 4 November 2026, we want to reassure every eligible South African that no one should be intimidated or made fearful of exercising their constitutional right to vote.

“Every voter must be able to walk into a voting station freely and cast their ballot for the political party they believe has the opportunity and ability to represent their interests and serve their communities.

“The choice of who governs belongs to the people. Every South African must be allowed to make that choice freely, peacefully and without fear,” Kekana said.