Members of the Electoral Commission (IEC) were ambushed by unidentified assailants at Plaatjie Primary School in Bushbuckridge, in Ward 24 in Mpumalanga on Monday night.
The officials abandoned their equipment and ballot papers in the car and managed to flee the scene of the attack.
The IEC said: “The ballot papers had been counted and the signed slip confirming this was on the person of one of the officials when they fled the scene.
“The IEC is pleased no-one was harmed and that this act of criminality did not compromise the votes from ward 24.
Police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala says a group of community members waited for the officials after voting concluded on Monday evening.
Police Minister Bheki Cele had identified Mpumalanga as one of the hot spots for political violence in the run-up to the local government elections.
“Their vehicles were blocked and in the process, the community members removed one full ballot box and one empty box from the IEC vehicle. A case has subsequently been opened in this regard. The investigation is ongoing. A team consisting of three major-generals and a brigadier was immediately sent to ensure that the matter receives the necessary attention,” says Mohlala.
The Electoral Commission hopes that the assailants will be found and made to face the full wrath of the law.