More than 50 000 police officers will be deployed at 22 612 voting stations countrywide as South Africans take to the polls in the 2016 Local Government Elections.
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said that come next week, there will be zero “no-go areas”.
“Our point of emphasis is that we have to secure the environment to such an extent that communities are able to excise their constitutional right to vote,” Minister Nhleko.
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As of June, the police had 1000 voting districts which were classified as high risk areas. This number has since been reduced to 650.
“This tells you that because of our operations, we have been able to reduce the number. I am confident that we will be able to do our bit from the police side,” said Minister Nhleko.
Nhleko said, the overall success of the election requires all stakeholders in the country to play an active role in ensuring they are peaceful, free and fair.
Acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane echoed these sentiments. He said the success of the police is highly dependent on the collaboration between communities and visible policing.
