A portion of the 10 000 soldiers will be deployed to cities such as Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Mahikeng, amongst others. These three cities in the Free State, Northern Cape and the North West have in the past experienced violent protests with irate residents displaying their anger with municipalities based in these towns over a lack of basic service delivery. 

The SANDF spokesperson, Mafi Mgobozi, says in a statement that the deployment of soldiers is to support the law enforcement agencies in order to safeguard the upcoming municipal elections which will kick-start on Monday.

The soldiers will be deployed from Saturday until Wednesday 3 November. Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the Free State will establish the results operation centre for the LGE 2021. 

Free State IEC spokesperson, Mmathabo Rasengane, says the provincial Results Operations Centre (ROC) is established to support the LGE 2021 and to publish election results. It will be operational soon.

“The provincial ROC will provide a venue for stakeholders to join, with key staff of the Electoral Commission to come together under one roof, including political parties and the media. The ROC provides for transparency of the electoral process and provides a place where ongoing political consultation and information sharing can take place with contesting political parties,” Rasengane adds.

OFM News