Fire at Candidate’s Home in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality

ActionSA has learnt with deep concern of an incident in which the home of one of our councillor candidates in Ramotshere Moiloa, Ward 12, was reportedly burnt down today, 1 November 2026.

At this stage, the full circumstances surrounding the incident, including what may have caused the fire, remain unknown. We urge the relevant law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the cause and determine whether there was any malicious intent.

However, given the hostility and intimidation experienced by our candidate  throughout the campaign period, we cannot dismiss the possibility that this incident may have been politically motivated. 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 has presented the people of Ward 12 with a young, capable female leader who has courageously put her hand up 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.

As ActionSA, we call on the South African Police Service to urgently investigate this incident and ensure that anyone found responsible for criminal conduct is held accountable.

We also call on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to remain vigilant and ensure that the 2026 Local Government Elections are conducted in an environment that is free, fair and peaceful. 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.

ActionSA Deputy President and National Deployee to the North West Province, Dr Mbahare Kekana, will travel to Ramotshere Moiloa tomorrow, 2 November 2026. He will be accompanied by the North West Provincial Chairperson, Masego Kodisang, and ActionSA’s Ramotshere Moiloa Mayoral Candidate, Lerato Selebogo, to engage with the affected candidate and assess the situation on the ground.

As we approach 4 November 2026, we want to reassure every eligible South African that no one should be intimidatedor 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.

ActionSA Herman Mashaba (President) Before politics, he founded Black Like Me in 1985, a household hair-care brand in South Africa. Served as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg (2016–2019) under a DA-led coalition. Resigned from both the Mayoralty and the DA in 2019, citing a lack of support for pro-poor service delivery and policy differences, leading directly to the birth of ActionSA.