Gauteng safety committee to SAPS: guard the high-risk voting stations on 4 November

Gauteng’s political parties have been told to keep their supporters in line, and the South African Police Service has been told to put more officers in front of the voting stations most at risk, with the Local Government Elections three days away.

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety issued the call in a statement on Sunday, ahead of special votes on 2 and 3 November and Election Day on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

The committee asked political parties, their supporters and the public to refrain from violence and intimidation, and urged political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their members and supporters. It warned that political differences must not threaten lives, public safety or community relations.

Elections, it said, should allow eligible voters to make their choices freely, without fear, threats or intimidation.

“The Committee stresses that no political contest is worth a single life lost and no political difference justifies violence, intimidation or the destruction of community relations,” the statement read.

Parties were asked to exercise restraint, respect opposing political views and ensure that political contestation does not lead to confrontation. The committee also urged leaders to discourage provocative behaviour and to promote the peaceful acceptance of different political choices.

On policing, the committee called on SAPS to increase its visibility and readiness throughout the election period, with particular attention to identified high-risk voting stations and areas where tensions between political groups could threaten public safety. It said law enforcement agencies must act decisively and impartially against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process through violence, intimidation or other unlawful conduct.

It also flagged coordination, saying effective work between law enforcement agencies, the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders was important in preventing incidents and responding swiftly to threats.

Residents were asked to reject political violence, report threats to the relevant authorities and not let political differences divide communities. The committee encouraged eligible voters to turn out in their numbers on 4 November, noting that participation in local government elections plays an important role in shaping service delivery, accountability and development in municipalities.

Success, the committee said, should be measured not only by the outcome at the ballot box but by the safety, dignity and freedom with which voters can cast their votes.

Approved special votes are cast on 2 and 3 November 2026. The committee’s statement also records that the Electoral Commission last month said it had approved a record 2 655 067 special vote applications for the 2026 elections, a 131% increase on the 1 147 759 approved for the 2021 elections.

The South African Local Government Association, the statement adds, has urged every registered voter to prioritise the election and help choose ethical, capable and accountable leaders who will shape the future of local government. SALGA said communities have a decisive role in building a responsive and agile local government system, and that the responsibility begins with electing leaders prepared to serve with integrity and put the public first.

This report is drawn from SAnews (South African Government News Agency), which carries the committee’s statement in summary rather than in full: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/portfolio-committee-calls-peaceful-local-government-elections