BDP councillor arrested, questioned over alleged voter trafficking
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday June 3, 2014 16:51
A search by police of the councillor’s property is alleged to have turned up election registration cards, belonging to individuals other than himself. Police say a minimum of five other people, including Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) registration officials are under investigation and could soon be charged in the matter.
Registration cards are said to have been recovered from the registration officers last week, as part of investigations.
Acting Officer Commanding, Senior Superintendent, Galesite Lesego said a councillor was detained last Wednesday and his home searched in connection with allegations of voter trafficking.
The councillor was released the following day, Lesego said.
Lesego explained that charges could be laid against Dikinya following the completion of investigations.
“The possible penalty for unlawful possession of registration cards is six months imprisonment or a P1, 000 fine or both,” Lesego said.
“At this moment, we cannot ascertain if the number of people under investigation will increase.
“We will rely on the IEC to furnish them with necessary information in order for them to conclude the matter.”
The IEC’s principal elections officer in Bobirwa, Segopotso Sakwape, confirmed that some registration cards were recovered from the councillor and some registration officers.
“We are still waiting for the police to collect all evidence and register a case with the Magistrate Court,” he said.
Dikinya is a nominated councillor for the BDP in Bobirwa sub-district. He won the party’s primary elections for MASEBO ward last year.