Amid post-elections unrest threats, KZN police say they're ready

CAPE TOWN - KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police said that alarming social media messages warning of possible unrest post-elections were not particularly concerning as the South African Police Service (SAPS) was ready to respond.

The alerts have been sent out via voice notes and posts on social media pages.

The police's Robert Netshiunda: "We have been ready because our operation was in three phases....pre-elections, during elections and post elections and things like this were not unexpected, so that's why we have good numbers on the ground, to ensure that whoever wants to start something illegal, finds us on the street."

Netshiunda said it was almost impossible for the police to stop these messages from circulating, but the sources would be investigated.

"Instead of only focusing on social media, we've got members on the ground, we have areas that we have identified as hotspots, we have intelligence on the ground who is collecting important information for us, as to who is planning what and where."

The Phoenix Peace and Development Committee, meanwhile, has called for increased police visibility following the circulation of these warnings.