Army deployed for voter registration
The army and police members are ready to curb violence during the IEC’s voter registration weekend.
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Police Service (SAPS) says its joint security forces are well prepared and ready to clamp down on any violence that may occur during the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)'s voter registration drive this weekend.
The SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have been deployed to various registration sites and the police say although they expect the process to be peaceful, there have been several election related crimes committed in the past.
During the 2009 polls, nearly 500 people were arrested for intimidation, public violence, assault, attempted murder and murder across South Africa.
SAPS spokesman Solomon Makgale says they will be closely monitoring tensions between political parties that could spark violence during the registration drive.
"I don't think it's of major concern at this point in time. But it is something that we're continually monitoring with rivalry between some political parties."
