The police national commissioner on Friday issued a strong warning to people planning to disrupt the upcoming local government elections.
“If anyone disrupts the elections, they will face the full might of the law. They will be arrested,” said General Bheki Cele.
He was addressing media in KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaDukuza on police operational readiness for the May 18 local government elections on Friday afternoon.
Cele said police had discovered there were people planning to cause disruptions during the formation of councils if they did not win the elections.
“We are aware of the plan and we will deal with them accordingly,” said Cele. Prosecutors were ready to deal with people who would disrupt the elections.
Cele was unable to say in which part of the country the plan to disrupt the elections was being hatched.
Cele said 50 000 police officers would be on duty during the elections. Those on leave had been asked to come back. Police would work a day before the elections, during the elections and a day after the elections, he said.
Arrests
Cele said 186 people had been arrested nationally for election-related crimes.
“They have been arrested for things such as destroying property, tearing posters, assault and public violence,” said Cele.
KwaZulu-Natal had 45 people arrested in election-related cases, the highest of all provinces, he said.
The police officers deployed to monitor elections in KwaZulu-Natal had recovered 29 fire arms. Of the 29 firearms, 15 were found in Nongoma.
“Several people have been arrested in connection with those firearms,” he said.
Cele said he was happy with the preparations, and police were ready for the elections.
He also visited Nongoma where he said he had been impressed by the level of tolerance among political parties.
“I was in Nongoma today where I saw four political parties marching just a few metres apart and there were no clashes.”
Hotspots
Nongoma was perceived as the no-go area for certain political parties during campaigns for the elections.
Cele added members of Inkatha Freedom Party, National Freedom Party, African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance on Friday campaigned in the same street in Nongoma.
“This is something that did not happen before. This is because of the work done by our members and various stakeholders,” he said.
Cele was however quick to point out that the police would take extra caution in KwaZulu-Natal, saying that it was known for its volatility during the elections.
The police would also pay extra attention to Mpumalanga where numerous violent service delivery protests had taken place, he said.
Cele said KwaZulu-Natal’s Ulundi, Nongoma, Umsinga, Estcourt and Durban’s hostels were regarded as hot spots. — Sapa
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