By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says a comprehensive security plan is in place ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
NATJOINTS co-chairperson Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili outlined the security measures during the media briefing in Tshwane.
The plan includes visible policing, intelligence gathering, protection of election infrastructure, rapid response capability, crowd management and close coordination with the IEC and other stakeholders.
“We have adopted as NATJOINTS a five-pillar approach,” she said.
The NATJOINTS and PROVJOINTS five-pillar approach is being implemented to ensure that all areas of concern are covered through:
- Intelligence gathering, analysis and co-ordination;
- Proactive approach, which includes high visibility to police, prevent and respond to any crime eventuality;
- Combat approach through law enforcement in response to any violation of the law through deployment of specialized units, supported by the SANDF should the need arise for the SANDF to exercise their secondary role of supporting the SAPS;
- Reactive approach through detection and case management; and the fifth approach; and
- Awareness and information sharing led by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Electoral Commission (IEC), the NATJOINTS and other government departments in keeping interest parties and communities at home and abroad updated through messaging that will enhance the safety and security of everyone in the country.
According to Mosikili, the voter registration period was used as a practical exercise ahead of the elections that are set for 4 November.
She explained that the absence of police officers at a particular voting station should not necessarily be interpreted as a lack of security.
“They may not have been there when you were there, but it doesn’t mean that the police are not working. We have been observing the election, and we are using this registration as a drill towards the November elections,” Mosikili said.
She said more than 26 000 voting stations would be policed during the elections, with security assessments informing the level of deployment at individual stations.
“We categorise the security levels of voting stations, and we deploy accordingly; where there is no need for static, it’s because the intelligence is advising as such. Where there is a need for a static deployment, it will also be determined by the level of challenges or security challenges,” Mosikili said.
Voting stations have been categorised according to security risks, including high-security alert areas or hotspots, with deployments to be adjusted according to intelligence received.
Mosikili said security numbers could not be disclosed in advance because operational requirements could change as intelligence was received.
While election preparations have progressed without major security incidents during voter registration, NATJOINTS remains concerned about politically motivated killings ahead of the elections.
Mosikili issued a strong warning to individuals who may seek to use violence to influence political contestation.
“We are issuing a stern warning to anyone who is planning attacks, assassinations or acts of violence for political gain: you will be arrested, prosecuted and, upon conviction, face lengthy prison sentences. There is absolutely no justification for taking the life of another person because of political differences or political contestation, “she said.
The Political Killings Task Team, established in 2018, has arrested more than 400 suspects, including more than 180 alleged hitmen linked to the murders of councillors, political leaders and party members.
Since January, several politically motivated murders have been recorded, including the killings of two MK Party members in Gauteng, a Democratic Alliance ward councillor candidate in the Western Cape, two ANC councillors in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, and two EFF members in Gauteng.
Seven suspects have so far been arrested in connection with these cases.
Mosikili said the task team’s mandate had been expanded to cover cases believed to be politically motivated and that additional capacity had been provided in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.