- Police chiefs are calling for calm in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the announcement of general election results due on Sunday.
- The presentation will take place at 16:00 at the Durban International Conference Centre.
- To keep track of the latest results, Election map.
KwaZulu-Natal police have issued a stern warning to those who resort to violence to express discontent ahead of the announcement of the general election results, saying “it will not end well”.
The South African Electoral Commission is due to announce the results of the national and provincial elections on Sunday after South Africans voted on Wednesday.
“The leaders of these parties need to mature and understand how democracy works,” KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said.
“There are always going to be losers, so there shouldn't be bad losers for those who lose. People know they have legal recourse to challenge the process.”
“They must take advantage of those opportunities and not take to the streets.” [If they do]they will find us on the streets, and it will not end well.”
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The provincial announcement is due to take place at 4pm on Sunday at the Results Operations Centre at the Durban International Conference Centre.
Mkhwanazi told media on Friday that South Africans were watching with bated breath to see how law enforcement would “manage and maintain peace and stability” during the election period.
This follows expected violence and political intolerance following the formation of former president Jacob Zuma's Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party in December.
The MK party, which is likely to govern KwaZulu-Natal after the election, had previously warned of violence if Zuma was not on the ballot paper.
Mkhwanazi also urged supporters of different political parties not to provoke each other.
“Those who feel provoked should abide by the law and avoid confrontation. KwaZulu-Natal was stable during the election period and will remain stable in the future. We expect this stability to continue as long as the operation continues,” he said.
Asked if police were expecting violence after the results were announced, Mkhwanazi said they were aware that some people might not celebrate responsibly and this could provoke others.
He said:
We don't necessarily have information that there is a specific group that is planning something, it's just a culture that we've seen in past elections.
Mkhwanazi added that political parties should use appropriate channels to raise issues.
Referring to controversial MK member Visvin Reddy, he said a person had been arrested for making statements inciting violence in the run-up to elections.
In April, Reddy warned of anarchy if Zuma did not stand in the election.
“Long queues caused panic among many and many analysts questioned the ability of law enforcement in townships and urban areas, but security forces stayed the course and thwarted any attempts at lawlessness or disruption of the election.”
Mkhwanazi added that the elections have not been without challenges, with police dealing with more than 900 protests since February.
“Of these, 690 were peaceful and police had to contain 211 disturbance situations in the province, with eThekwini metro and Ugu districts the most affected.”
He said a total of 68 election-related cases have been registered in the state.
“These incidents range from pointing and firing firearms, taking or concealing voting materials, obstructing and impeding IEC officials in the performance of their duties, intimidation, defacement and unlawful removal of posters, possession of firearms, various forms of assault and fraud.”
“Of the 24 suspects arrested, three are still in custody while others have been released on various bail conditions. There were at least four murder cases recorded on election day.”
Mkhwanazi added that three people were shot dead in Esihlaveni, Umzinyathi area of Greytown.
“There was one murder each in Hammarsdale and Wartburg in Mpumalanga. None of these murders were election-related.”
He said two police officers had been removed from their posts after a video of one of them wearing a political party uniform went viral on social media.
“The member has been suspended whilst the investigation progresses and internal disciplinary action will then be taken.”
“Our role in politics is simply to vote for the party we support and to protect our people,” Mkhwanazi added.
