POLITICAL intolerance has surfaced in Seshego in Limpopo ahead of the Polokwane municipality's by-elections.

The elections are scheduled for September 19.

At the weekend, an independent candidate watched in dismay as posters with his picture were removed from street poles, allegedly by members of the ANC.

George Thembo, 36, was with friends when he saw members of the ANC, including a fellow candidate removing his posters and replacing them with those of the ANC candidate.

Thembo said the situation nearly turned ugly when he confronted the group.

"Realising that my life would be in danger, I then contacted the police to open a case against those people," Thembo said yesterday.

He said he also took the matter up with the Independent Electoral Commission in Limpopo.

Provincial electoral officer Nkaro Mateta said she was worried about the incidents of political intolerance in Seshego and that they had held a party liaison committee meeting last week where all parties and candidates were warned against engaging in misconduct .

ANC provincial spokesman Makonde Mathivha appealed to members of his party to allow people to participate fairly in electionprocesses.

Seshego police spokesman Warrant Officer Mothemane Malefo confirmed they were investigating a case of malicious damage to property. - frankm@sowetan.co.za