Mahikeng - North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Mpho Motlhabane has assured communities in the province that the municipal elections on August 3 will be safe and secure.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies and roleplayers of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), had through intelligence compiled a multi-agency provincial operational plan in preparation of the elections, Motlhabane said in a statement on Sunday.
“We are ready for these elections; our people must know that they will be safe wherever they will be casting their votes. Our law enforcement officers will always be on the lookout. We will be visible enough on our roads and every village of the province.”
PROVJOINTS chairperson, SAPS provincial commissioner Baile Motswenyane, said they would ensure not only high visibility, but also static deployments at all 1662 voting districts. “We want to give an assurance to all the people of the North West province that we are ready, willing, and able to deliver on our mandate of a safe and secure election for all those who will be going out to exercise their right to vote.
“The successful safeguarding of the elections is also dependent on the co-operation of the community who are urged to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner,” said Motswenyane. The community was reminded that it was important for everybody to comply with various legislation, including the Municipal Electoral Act, the Dangerous Weapons Act, and the Regulation of Gatherings Act. “All our law enforcement officers will not hesitate to take action against any person who contravenes the law,” Motlhabane said.
The Electoral Act provided for a number of offences punishable by law if committed during the election period. These included: - No person may publish any false information with the intention of disrupting or preventing an election or to create hostility or fear in order to influence the conducting or outcome of an election; and - No person may interfere with a voter's right to secrecy while casting their vote.
This in itself placed an obligation on the leaders of political parties to ensure that their members observed the provisions of the act and conducted themselves responsibly during this period.
The MEC further urged political leaders to refrain from making irresponsible and/or inflammatory statements or pronouncements, which may incite irresponsible or even violent behaviour, as well as to abide by the electoral code of conduct signed by all political parties.
“We are convinced that with measures in place, including activation of the Provincial Joint Operational Centre (PROVJOC), the securing and safeguarding of the 2016 local government elections will be successfully safeguarded and secured,” Motlhabane said.
African News Agency