IEC official accused of stealing ballot boxes fears for his safety, court told

DURBAN - An Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) official accused of stealing ballot boxes in KwaZulu-Natal, during the May elections, says he fears for his safety following threats from uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party supporters.

Musawenkosi Mnikathi, an area manager in the Imbali area in Pietermaritzburg, is accused of transporting ballot boxes without supervision.

He returned to the Pietermaritzburg Court for trial on Thursday.

When court proceedings started on Thursday, the lawyer representing Mnikathi - Advocate Ashely Jennings - said MK Party supporters were threatening his client.

ALSO READ: Case of IEC official accused of stealing ballot papers postponed

Jennings warned that if such continues, he would apply to have the matter heard on camera.

The magistrate told Jennings that if his client is being threatened outside the court building, he should lay a criminal complaint with the police.

When asked about this, some MK Party supporters denied the allegations.

Proceedings are continuing, with the State leading evidence from witnesses.