By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: Tumisho Masha. Picture: Instagram/@tumishomasha.
South African actor Tumisho Masha is under police investigation for contravening the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, which protects the secrecy of voting.
Masha photographed his marked ballot paper and posted it publicly during the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The shared image showed his inked thumb alongside a City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Council ballot paper marked in favor of ActionSA.
The Electoral Act 73 of 1998 strictly enforces these rules to protect the secrecy of the vote and prevent practices like intimidation or voter coercion.
If formally charged and convicted under the municipal electoral regulations, individuals violating ballot secrecy can face serious legal consequences, including a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) continues to remind the public that while capturing images of your inked thumb is allowed and encouraged, photographing or sharing the ballot itself is strictly prohibited.
This is a developing.