Party calls for tolerance as campaign material is removed from key Durban route
The African National Congress (ANC) in eThekwini has said it will open a criminal case and ask the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate after campaign posters and street-pole banners were allegedly removed along the M4 Northern Freeway in Durban.
The regional office reported that the material was taken down in the early hours of 3 September. In a statement issued on Saturday, the ANC described the incident as a criminal offence and a breach of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) electoral code of conduct.
“The vandalising of the ANC’s posters and street pole banners is the highest form of provocation and should be condemned by all peace and democracy loving people,” the ANC eThekwini Region said.
According to the party, the removal of posters and banners represents an attempt to undermine a lawful campaign and could inflame tensions during an already tense pre-election period. The ANC urged political parties and residents to uphold tolerance and allow all parties to campaign freely across the metropolitan area.
Where parties may advertise in eThekwini
The ANC’s statement reminded readers that eThekwini municipality has designated routes for election-related advertising, subject to municipal requirements. The party highlighted the M4 Northern Freeway as one such key route; the road links Durban’s northern corridor including Durban North, uMhlanga and uMdloti.
- Campaign material was reportedly removed from street poles on the M4 Northern Freeway.
- The incident occurred in the early hours of 3 September, the ANC said.
- The ANC will approach SAPS to investigate and identify those responsible.
The municipal rules also require political parties and candidates to remove election advertising within 30 days after the elections. The ANC called on members of the public to report further incidents that could undermine the electoral process.
Local consequences and civic responsibilities
Durban residents can expect an increased focus on enforcement and reporting in the run-up to the local government elections on 4 November 2026. The ANC framed the removal of its posters as a form of political provocation, urging communities to reject such actions and to preserve public space for all participants in the democratic process.
Election-season vandalism can have several effects on local communities, including:
- Heightened tensions between supporters of different parties;
- Uneven visibility for candidates and parties, potentially affecting voter information;
- Costs and logistical burdens for parties replacing or repairing damaged material.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date reported | 3 September (early hours) |
| Location | M4 Northern Freeway, eThekwini |
| Action planned | Case to be opened with SAPS; investigation sought |
Community leaders and political parties often depend on the IEC to arbitrate disputes over campaign conduct. The ANC’s statement emphasised that tolerance is critical to political stability and warned against the return of so-called no-go areas during campaign periods.
As parties ramp up activities across Durban, residents who witness or have evidence of campaign material being tampered with are being asked by the ANC to report incidents to the authorities. The response from SAPS, the municipality and the IEC in the coming days will determine whether this episode remains an isolated complaint or signals a wider pattern ahead of November’s elections.
Durbaners can expect local enforcement agencies and the parties themselves to place greater emphasis on monitoring designated advertising routes and ensuring compliance with municipal rules as election day approaches.
