Police on high alert to respond to any social media posts inciting violence
So far, police are investigating 39 cases of contravention of the Electoral Act.
Voters queue at a voting station in Collins Chabane municipality, Limpopo, on 29 May 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Police have warned people against posting misinformation relating to the elections, saying they are keeping a watchful eye on social media content.
So far, police are investigating 39 cases of contravention of the Electoral Act.
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This included the destruction and removal of voting material, and of one person in Western Cape who allegedly voted twice.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said law enforcement would act against any posts that seek to incite violence or unrest.
“We want to discourage the misinformation because it causes unnecessary panic, it causes unnecessary conflict, [and] it labels people otherwise, to the point that we really cannot be working if we are a responsible citizen doing things that you know will flare up violence and intolerance amongst each other.”