Police make arrests as special voting ends, minister tours IEC nerve centre

Police have made arrests in connection with incidents reported in various parts of the country during the special voting process, the South African Police Service says, as Day 2 of special voting drew to a close.

The service did not say in its statement how many people were arrested, where the incidents occurred or what the incidents involved. The statement is a media release from the Office of the Minister of Police rather than a detailed incident record, and it gives no breakdown of the arrests.

On the same day, the Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, visited the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s National Operations Centre at Gallagher Convention Centre, accompanied by the Deputy Ministers of Police and Justice and Constitutional Development, Dr Polly Boshielo and Andries Nel respectively. The delegation met IEC Commissioners and was briefed on the progress of the special voting process and on the operational arrangements in place ahead of voting day.

The police statement says lawlessness and any conduct that threatens the integrity of the electoral process will not be tolerated. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJOINTS, is coordinating operational readiness to ensure security measures are in place ahead of voting day, according to the statement.

The Police Ministry says every effort is being made, in collaboration with the IEC and relevant stakeholders, to support the delivery of free, fair and peaceful elections. The SAPS says it remains committed to enforcing the law impartially and decisively so that South Africans can exercise their democratic right to vote in a safe and secure environment.

The statement was issued by the Office of the Minister of Police. Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi is named as the contact for further information.

The full statement is available on the SAPS portal at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72212.