The Police Ministry has expressed its confidence in measures put in place by the South African Police Service, to ensure that all citizens are and feel safe, as they head to polling stations to cast ballots during this voting weekend and on 01 November 2021.
This, as the first day of special voting in the Mpumalanga Province, has gone ahead in a peaceful manner, especially in the Pienaar Township, where earlier this week violent disruptions took place.
Minister of Police General Bheki Cele visited the area to assess the readiness of law enforcement, during the first day of special voting. Together with the SAPS top management and the MEC of Community Safety, Vusi Shongwe, they visited several high risk voting stations.
A detailed police local government elections deployment plan was also presented to the Minister, which includes a roll-out of massive operational resources and thousands of forces to provide support where needed.
“The Mpumalanga province was not part of the four provinces we initially identified and monitored very closely ahead of voting day, but recent events have forced us to revise this and change our approach. Despite the flash points, the province which has 1786 voting stations remains calm. Over 47 of the voting stations are located in the Pienaar area and out of that number, 15 are high risk stations which are receiving our full attention. “
Minister Cele says the deployment plan shows there is enough capacity, for whatever eventuality that may arise.
“I’m confident that police will ensure law and order while SANDF troops assist in guarding key infrastructure and other key points not only in Mpumalanga, but across the country. This means the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies on the ground will be at hand to ensure that no one is obstructed or intimidated while trying to access a voting station and that there is safety during these elections”
The Police Ministry is encouraged that more police officers have been deployed to areas of concern, across KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern and Western Cape, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. These deployments will remain the status quo until after the election results are announced or for longer, if necessary.
Source: South African Police Service