Safety and security structures in place ahead of local govt polls - Cachalia

Although an election date for the local government polls is yet to be proclaimed, the acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, said security structures are already in place to ensure a peaceful election.

This includes monitoring political gatherings and rallies in the run-up to elections.

In response to a parliamentary question from the African National Congress (ANC) regarding policing plans ahead of elections, Cachalia said an operational intelligence committee has also been established to provide threat assessments, identifying hotspots and instigators.

Local government elections have in the past given rise to such fierce contestation that has led to politically-linked killings.

But Cachalia said an instruction has already been issued to coordinate all security cluster departments and agencies to ensure the next local government elections are held in a safe and secure environment.

He added that priority committees have been established at national level and in all provinces co-chaired by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

These committees are expected to draft and execute safety and security operational plans for the elections.

A reporting line has also been established that will include briefing Cabinet.

Cachalia said operational and contingency plans will also be developed to normalise and stabilise hotspot areas so that voting is not impacted.

The SAPS will also assist to protect Department of Home Affairs mobile trucks where identity documents are being issued.

A special detective team will be deployed to work with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on election-related cases.

Cachalia said voter registration weekends earmarked between June and August will be used as a dry run to test its operational plans.