The committee says it is all systems go and that it is certain members of the SAPS will be highly visible during the elections. 

In a report, the committee states that arrangements for security on election day has been made and that all final preparations would be complete by the end of April. 

It confirms that there will be security measures at all the 22 925 voting stations countrywide. 

The committee has nonetheless expressed concerns over how power cuts could affect voting stations on election day. 

It is reported that a committee has thus far been established with Eskom to mitigate the threats from power cuts and develop contingency measures. It has also alluded that the on-going service delivery protests in the different regions might pose a huge threat to the elections.

It is indicated in the report that community protests have been evident in all provinces with Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape and the North West having the potential to pose most issues.

The committee’s chairperson, Francois Beukman, has, however, committed to ensuring that security is beefed up and that all roleplayers such as the SANDF are roped in if the need arises.

To further reduce absenteeism of police officers during elections, the committee said SAPS officers will vote during the special votes to take place on May 6 and 7.

The police portfolio committee has called for measures be taken to ensure that each and every voting station is supplied with a generator.

The committee says proactive measures will be taken in relation to securing voting stations, protecting Presiding Officers, IEC and community members and preventing firearms and dangerous weapons from entering boundaries of voting stations.

“Furthermore, Presiding Officers would be escorted during home visits for special voting, collecting and delivering ballot papers/boxes and other election material as well as escorting voting material from voting stations to warehouses for safer vote counting.”

It is indicated that contingency plans include managing traffic on routes to and from voting stations; enhancement of visibility and crime prevention; securing election warehouses and establishing contingency transportation of voting material.

OFM News