Election deployment focus will be on Vhembe and Capricorn
Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu-Lerule Ramakhanya said that even though they are not expecting any disruptions when stations open for voting, adequate security resources have been deployed in all districts.
POLOKWANE – Of the 3 191 voting stations across Limpopo only those in eight areas been identified as a medium risk.
Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu-Lerule Ramakhanya who is the chairperson of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster (JCPS) said in an earlier media briefing that even though they expect minimum disruption they will deploy adequate security to ensure peace until voting concludes.
Security personnel will include police officers, traffic officers and members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF).
Ramakhanya said the JCPS is determined to ensure that as the province, they keep the people safe and also make sure that the environment is conducive for free and fair elections. “The safety of our people remains our primary responsibility and we also have an obligation to ensure that their rights are protected and respected. We have done our assessment and we will be deploying security personnel accordingly in all the five districts of the province, with a focus on Vhembe and Capricorn”
She added that eight areas have been identified as medium risk due to sporadic incidents reported the past week. These areas include the Greater Tzaneen Ward 20, Lephalale, Collins Chabane, Dididi, Tshamahansi at Mokgalakwena, Masakaneng at Elias Motsoaledi, Lulekani and Rossenkaal.
“The challenges identified are political intolerance, demand for basic services, illegal electricity connection (enforcement) and promises that were not resolved since the previous elections. We will pay close attention and deploy adequate resources at the low and medium risk areas and also at places that were identified as hotspots in the previous elections, to ensure that people are allowed to vote in peace.”
Ramakhanya urged the people of Limpopo to cast their vote tomorrow, without any fear. “Our officers will not negotiate with anyone harbouring malicious intent to deprive people of their democratic right to vote. We will arrest and make sure that we successfully prosecute such criminals.
“Go out in your numbers and exercise your democratic right,” she concluded.
