By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) has identified 331 high-risk voting stations nationally, ahead of November 4 local government elections, with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) leading the pack.
SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Minister of Police Feroz Cachalia briefed the media in Durban, at the conclusion of the nationwide provincial readiness assessments.
Masemola said KZN is accounting for the highest number at 165. Of these, 124 are in the eThekwini District, 16 in uThukela, 13 in Amajuba, 11 in Zululand and one in the Ugu District.
“There are more boots on the ground in Durban after the military and additional public order police officers from other provinces were deployed to the city.
The beefed-up security was prompted by recent unrest in the city centre over migration. It also comes ahead of the municipal elections in a week’s time.”
While tensions have been quelled in the Durban CBD, it is clear that the government is leaving nothing to chance, with heavy law enforcement and other security deployments continuing throughout the city, said Masemola.
Gauteng has 119 identified high-risk voting stations, including 75 in Johannesburg, 23 in Ekurhuleni, 14 in the City of Tshwane, six in the West Rand and one in Sedibeng.
The Western Cape has 33 high-risk voting stations, all within the City of Cape Town, while Mpumalanga has 11, comprising six in Gert Sibande, three in Ehlanzeni and two in Nkangala.
The Eastern Cape has three high-risk voting stations, all in the OR Tambo District.
The North West, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Free State have no voting stations classified as high-risk, although these provinces have medium- and low-risk voting stations.
Masemola said the identified risks had informed operational planning and resource deployment, with enhanced police visibility and targeted interventions in areas where they were needed.
“We have left no stone unturned in preparing for these elections. Our focus has been on ensuring that we have adequate personnel, appropriate resources, effective coordination and operational capacity to respond swiftly to any eventuality,” he said.
Masemola said the SAPS would lead the election security operation, supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Metro Police Departments and the State Security Agency (SSA).
The security cluster is working together to strengthen intelligence-sharing, operational coordination and resource deployment, and to ensure a rapid response to incidents that could threaten election safety and security.
Senior officers from SAPS Head Office have also been deployed to provide strategic and operational support to provinces. Roving operational teams have been established to reinforce deployments and respond to emerging security threats.
Specialised units, including the Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, Tactical Response Teams, Explosives Units and Hostage Negotiators, have been placed on standby.
The SAPS is also working with the private security industry through the Eyes and Ears Initiative to strengthen information-sharing, policing capacity and police visibility.
The Air Wing will provide aerial support, while Public Order Police members remain on standby to respond to incidents of public disorder and violence.
Masemola noted that election security operations would run alongside the SAPS’s Safer Festive Season operations, placing additional demands on police personnel.
“It is all hands-on deck, with our members on the ground working to prevent crime, protect communities and ensure public safety. We are ready,” he said.
Masemola also addressed the SAPS’s recent court application concerning marches and public demonstrations in KwaZulu-Natal, clarifying that it was not intended to prohibit lawful demonstrations.
He said the application sought an interim order requiring organisers and participants to comply with the law when exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.
The application follows escalating incidents of violence, intimidation and property destruction associated with marches in and around Durban.
According to Masemola, two people have been attacked and killed, and 16 vehicles have been burnt or damaged in connection with these incidents.
“We want to emphasise that the SAPS respects the constitutional right of every person to assemble, demonstrate and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.”
“However, this right must be exercised within the confines of the law and cannot be used to justify violence, intimidation, destruction of property or the infringement of the rights of others. Our application is therefore not intended to prohibit lawful marches, but to ensure compliance with the law, protect lives and property, and enable the police to maintain public order,” he said.