SAPS deploys additional police to KwaZulu-Natal to ensure post-election stability
SAPS deploys over 300 additional officers to KwaZulu-Natal to maintain post-election stability and support disaster relief efforts.
General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), has dispatched extra Public Order Policing (POP) officers to KwaZulu-Natal.
This deployment supports the NATJOINTS safety and security strategy for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
SAPS REINFORCEMENT IN POST-ELECTION PHASE
This latest wave marks the third deployment of additional police personnel to the region, focusing on the pre-election, during-election, and now the post-election phases. Over 300 POP members have been deployed to maintain order and stability.
The initial deployment in early May saw over 200 members, followed by a second contingent of more than 300 during the elections.
The province has remained relatively stable thanks to the PROVJOINTS operational plan’s meticulous planning and execution. The current deployment aims to bolster police presence as the NATJOINTS National and Provincial Elections operational plan moves into its third phase.
This phase involves monitoring activities related to the election results and ensuring law enforcement is ready to address any emerging incidents.
COMMITMENT TO STABILITY AND SAFETY
During the send-off parade for the latest deployment, General Masemola emphasised the SAPS’s ongoing commitment to maintaining national stability.
“We have delivered the 2024 NPE elections in a stable environment. Voters exercised their democratic right without fear or favor, and we will continue to respond accordingly to prevent and combat criminality. We thank voters and communities for their orderly conduct and hope this will prevail. Those who step out of line will be dealt with,” Masemola stated.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, co-chair of NATJOINTS, also attended the parade and praised the officers for their essential role in ensuring the elections proceeded safely and peacefully.
Additionally, these SAPS officers will be deployed to the Tongaat area to assist with the ongoing disaster relief efforts, ensuring the safety and security of affected residents.
RESPONDING TO NATURAL DISASTERS
Simultaneously, the KwaZulu-Natal Government is addressing several incidents caused by heavy rains, strong winds, and hailstorms that recently battered parts of the province, leading to extensive damage.
The eThekwini Metro has been the hardest hit, with five lives lost and dozens injured, now receiving treatment in healthcare facilities.
The South African Weather Services had predicted a Level 4 alert for disruptive rains along the coast, warning of a high probability of flooding.
The Tongaat area, north of Durban, recorded numerous incidents with severe home damage, roofs blown off, and fallen trees causing power outages. Other regions around Durban, including Umgababa, Durban Central, and the city’s western parts, also experienced heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding of households and roads.