Pretoria - The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) is taking no chances with security for Wednesday’s Local Government Elections.
They have put in place plans to ensure that South Africans are able to cast their votes in safe environments and that police are able to respond to whatever situation which might arise.
About 100 000 officers will be on election duty. Over 50 000 police officers will be on duty at voting stations across the country, while the rest will be mobile so that they can respond to situations if the need arises.
Special focus will be in hotspots like Vuwani and other protesting communities which have previously disrupted registrations and made the work of the IEC difficult.
Acting National Police Commissioner General Kgomotso Phahlane told a media briefing from Vuwani that they have about 650 high risk polling stations countrywide.
However, he was confident that they have deployed accordingly.
The army does not do internal security but will be called if the need arises for a supporting role, Phahlane said.
“We will not have boots on the ground from the SANDF because the policing of the elections is the mandate of the police. But the SANDF is playing a critical role as part of our cluster, the JCPS, and they are providing logistical support.”
He said it’s all systems go and they do not expect trouble in the tense Vuwani area.
He said the police have taken control of the area with more than 1000 officers being deployed.
"We can guarantee the community that they need not to fear anyone, they must exercise their democratic rights.”
There is a strong police presence in the area with regular roadblocks. Many shops in the area remain closed and few people are visible on the streets.
"We are not concerned that people are not moving up and down. We are pleased there are no gatherings of groupings forming," said General Phahlane.
Tensions have been high after the Municipal Demarcation Board’s decision to incorporate it into a new municipal entity with Malamulele and Hlanganani.
The situation has been made worse after some community leaders broke ranks with the traditional leaders who had signed a pact with government committing to end the three-month shutdown and to allow voting in the area.
While traditional leaders seem confident with the deal, pro-Makhado leaders felt that they had been sold out.
Some of the community members have vowed to boycott the elections until the decision had been reversed and they have been allowed to remain part of the Makhado municipality.
Phahlane warned that the security agencies will not tolerate actions aimed at disrupting the elections or disenfranchising voters.
General Phahlane confirmed that 14 voting stations will open tomorrow for special votes in the area. The IEC has approved 34 special votes in Vuwani.
The Electoral Commission kicked off with special votes this morning. – SAnews.gov.za
