Cachalia and Masemola to assess KZN police readiness ahead of elections - IOL
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will assess KwaZulu-Natal's election security preparations five days before voters head to the polls on November 4.
With just five days before South Africans head to the polls, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will assess KwaZulu-Natal's police readiness for the November 4 local government elections on Friday.
The assessment comes against the backdrop of political violence in the province, where 18 councillors have been assassinated since the 2021 local government elections, including five in eThekwini.
The current election campaign has also been marred by violence, with two ANC campaign volunteers shot dead during a door-to-door campaign in Umgababa, south of Durban, on October 15. Another person was critically injured in the shooting.
The killings have heightened concerns about the safety of candidates and party representatives as campaigning enters its final days.
IOL previously reported that political parties and candidates had raised concerns about intimidation, the destruction of election posters and politically linked killings, with some candidates expressing fear about campaigning in certain areas.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the killing of councillors and political candidates ahead of the elections, warning that political violence threatens South Africa's democracy and the right of citizens to choose their representatives.
Speaking during a door-to-door campaign in eMagabheni, KwaZulu-Natal, Ramaphosa said those behind the killings were undermining the country's democratic institutions.
“Those who are killing councillors, those who are killing candidates are really seeking to destroy the efficacy of our democracy,” he said.
Ramaphosa said he had called on police to pursue those responsible for the murders and ensure they faced prosecution.
“We condemn the killing of councillor candidates, whether serving or prospective, in the strongest terms. And that is why I’ve called on the police to pursue those who are responsible for these murders, catch them, have them prosecuted,” he said.
His comments come as police prepare for election day, with security arrangements expected to play an important role in ensuring candidates, party supporters and voters can participate in the electoral process without intimidation or violence.
Against this backdrop, Cachalia and Masemola will receive a briefing from SAPS provincial leadership on KwaZulu-Natal's election preparedness and operational plans.
The briefing will provide the provincial leadership with an opportunity to outline preparations ahead of election day.
According to SAPS, Masemola will outline the operational measures in place to ensure a “safe and secure electoral environment”.
