Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, has expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster for their unwavering dedication and professional conduct during the policing of the 2024 General Elections in the province.
“Force deployments, as well as the collective efforts by all stakeholders, played a pivotal role in ensuring a peaceful elections process,” said Otola, who is the Chairperson of the Provincial Joint Intelligence Structure.
Otola acknowledged the professional conduct of all law enforcement officers who executed their duties with integrity and in an impartial manner and commended the upstanding behaviour of the communities in the province.
“No serious incidents were reported and law enforcement agencies swiftly responded to all occurrences reported,” Otola said.
The Commissioner commended the cooperation with law enforcement and Electoral Commission (IEC) officials’ contribution towards a safe and stable environment.
“Law enforcement in conjunction with all JCPS Cluster stakeholders will not relax efforts during the announcement of the results and proceeding celebrations. Crime prevention operations and disruptive actions will continue unabated to ensure the safety and security of all inhabitants in the province,” Otola said.
High police presence will continue until post elections
Meanwhile, Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has assured the people of Gauteng that a high police presence will continue in the province until the election process is complete.
“No serious incidents were reported during the casting of votes in Gauteng, even in areas that were classified as high risk,” Mthombeni said.
Joined by the Director-General for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Advocate Doctor Mashabane and Ekurhuleni Chief of Police Isaac Mapeyeye, Mthombeni visited the Provincial Results Operation Centre in Alberton on Wednesday.
There he briefed the media on how law enforcement agencies were able to maintain law and order as people were casting their votes in Gauteng.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has also assured that police deployed at strategic areas in KwaZulu-Natal will remain in place until after the new government has taken over the reigns and the province is declared stable.
Mkhwanazi and the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, monitored the police deployments from the skies and flew over some voting stations, including eThekwini District, which has the highest number of voting stations which were categorised as high risk. – SAnews.gov.za