With their sights set on safety and security and maintaining law and order during and after the election period, members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in various provinces have been deployed at voting stations to ensure a peaceful and safe environment for eligible voters.
The Provincial Commissioners have on Tuesday sent off the last contingents of police officers who will further increase the foot soldiers who are already on the ground to create a safe and secure environment for the 2024 elections on Wednesday.
In the Eastern Cape, SAPS Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Zolani Xawuka, and his management addressed members during a parade which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, ahead of deployment for elections duties.
“All members are operationally ready to apply fundamental policing principles, guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” Xawuka said.
Xakuwa reminded the members on parade of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity and to “do so within the confines of the laws of the country”.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, gave his marching orders during a parade ahead of the deployment of the members to various parts of the province for the elections.
In the North West, police members have been deployed at the voting stations to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and in a free and safe environment for voters, IEC officials, as well as role-players and the general public.
In the Free State, SAPS Mangaung District Teams are maintaining heightened police visibility at the Independent Electoral Commission's warehouse to ensure safety and security during the transporting and delivery of voting materials to different places in the Mangaung area.
Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, visited Bainsvlei Clinic to cast her special vote as well as interact with SAPS operational members who are posted at the voting station to ensure safety during the elections.
Briefing the media on the state of readiness on Monday, the SAPS Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and the Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, reassured citizens that the Electoral Commission and law enforcement agencies in the province are ready to ensure free and peaceful elections.
The police members at the various parades were reminded of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity, and to do so within the confines of the laws of the country.
Giving the marching orders during the sending off parade in Harrismith of police officers who have been deployed to ensure safety and security at KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces on Tuesday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola emphasised the maintenance of public order.
“There can never be disorder because you must be there to maintain public order and prevent crime... and do all other what is required by the Constitution. Go and assist your colleagues, make sure the election goes smooth and wherever you are, make sure you create a peaceful situation to ensure that people go to vote in a very peaceful and stable environment, and allow people to do what they are supposed to do,” Masemola told the police. – SAnews.gov.za
