KZN Provincial Electoral Officer Mawethu Mosery says no violence is anticipated during next year’s local government election.
That was Mosery’s opinion at an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) dialogue session in Empangeni on Friday, hosted by the uThungulu IEC.
The workshop’s purpose was to map the way forward in the run-up to next year’s polls.
Mosery said the commission had already held talks with stakeholders in problematic areas.
‘Intolerance or violence would typically arise in places like Mtubatuba where there has been political division, however we have had meetings in the area with the Party Liaison Committee to reach a mutual understanding and ensure existing differences do not cause conflict.
‘The province is not a stranger to political intolerance and elections have not always been peaceful, but they are improving every year,’ said Mosery.
‘It should be the responsibility of security, political parties and citizens to commit and have an interest in allowing for peaceful elections.
‘There is a multi-party task team established to focus on political tolerance in the district, chaired by KZN MEC Transport, Community and Liaison Willies Mchunu.
‘The aim is to promote tolerance across the province, gauge from research the areas prone to political violence and intervene accordingly.
‘In uThungulu there has only been one incident of political intolerance, in Nongoma in 2011 where the team intervened.
‘Legal repercussions of political violence are divided into two parts. Political parties, candidates and members must adhere to the code of conduct. Failure to do so will result in the breach of prohibited conduct,’ said Mosery.
‘If either intimidation or violence occurs, the party or individual in question is listed, the matter investigated and they are charged accordingly.
