With less than a week to go before the Local Government Elections (LGE) on Wednesday 4 November, the Police Ministry is stepping up security preparations, engaging key stakeholders to assess readiness and identify potential risks ahead of the polls.

The engagements aim to ensure the elections take place in a safe, secure and peaceful environment, allowing eligible voters to exercise their democratic right without fear, intimidation or disruption.

Spokesperson for the ministry, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said the Ministry has been receiving regular briefings from South African Police Service top management, led by National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, and NATJOINTS co-chair Lt gen Mosikili on policing readiness and measures to coordinate law enforcement agencies.

Mogotsi said on Monday 26 October, the Ministry held a virtual meeting with provincial premiers and members of executive councils responsible for community safety to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation and coordinate election security efforts across the provinces.

“The Ministry also engaged representatives of the private security industry through the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), recognising the role private security companies can play, within their respective mandates, in supporting broader safety and security efforts during the electoral period.”

According to Mogotsi these engagements will continue in the lead-up to the elections to assess provincial preparedness, identify potential risks and ensure operational plans are in place to address emerging challenges.

Mogotsi the ministry remained committed to supporting efforts to ensure that eligible voters could cast their ballots freely and without fear, intimidation or disruption.

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