By Obakeng Maje
Taung-Seven accused briefly appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for allegedly damaging of election material alleged to have occurred in Taung during the final voter registration over the weekend.

Seven people arrested in connection with the incident appeared in the Taung Magistrates Court on Monday and were granted bail of R500 each.

The accused, Kegomoditswe Kgosimore (33), Lebogang Magabe (31), Setsanyana Mmusinyana (25), Thapelo Leiri(20), Freddy Seruteng(20), Kagisho Ikeleng( 20) and Thabang Kumang ( 23)  who were arrested on Sunday, 9 February 2014 for contravention of Section (1) © of Electoral Act, 1998 (ACT 73 OF 1998), appeared in Taung Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 February 2014.

They were remanded in custody and re-appeared again on Monday for bail application.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible disruption of election processes and acts of violence during voter registration as they undermines our hard won democracy and the right of citizens to exercise their right to vote in a safe and peaceful environment, without intimidation .These should be stamped out and those responsible dealt harshly by the law,” Premier Modise stressed.
Modise called for an investigation as to why the disruptors were not immediately arrested at the scene of the alleged incident.
According to police, the group of three women and four men aged between 20 and 33 allegedly forced entry into a voter registration station at Itlameleng Primary School on Saturday around 7:40 and demanded registration from IEC officials.

“They allegedly removed IEC banners from the school fence and set them alight before fleeing the scene,” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

Damaging election material is prohibited in terms of Section (1) (c) of the Electoral Act of 1998.-TDN
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