- Police are preparing to secure key areas in KwaZulu-Natal after the South African Electoral Commission announced the results of the 2024 general election over the weekend.
- Former president Jacob Zuma, leader of the Umkhonto weSizwe party, made the request to the Electoral Commission. Saturday Do not publish the results.
- Two reliable crime sources in the state told News24 that police were deployed to areas believed to be high-crime zones from early Sunday evening.
- Track the latest results on our election map.
Police are preparing for possible unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, fearing a surge in violence similar to that which erupted in the province in July 2021 after the results of the 2024 general elections were announced on Sunday.
Two Crime Intelligence Bureau insiders said that by 6pm on Sunday, dozens of officers from the Security Police Unit and the Tactical Response Team had been deployed to the area to prevent potential civil unrest.
Residents' associations and local police forums are also preparing, saying residents do not want to be put at a disadvantage again.
No incidents have been reported so far.
On Saturday night, former president Jacob Zuma, the leading figure in the Mkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), argued that the South African Electoral Commission (IEC) should not announce the election results until the party's complaints and requests for a recount, including unfounded allegations of voter fraud, have been addressed.
President Zuma said any declaration would be tantamount to provoking his MK party, which is challenging the IEC along with several other parties.
“We as the people have a greater right to demand that than anybody else. The institutions cannot say 'we can't listen to you, hurry up', because that is actually galvanising people,” President Zuma said.
The party alleged, without providing evidence, that there was voter fraud and that the IEC's system had been sabotaged.
LIVE | The ANC lost 71 seats in parliament, the DA gained three and the MKP won 58.
However, after the results were announced on Sunday night, the IEC declared the elections free and fair.
The MKP emerged as the largest party in KwaZulu-Natal with 45% of the vote, more than double the ANC's share (18%).
Zuma's party's victory came after a number of missteps and arrogance by ANC politicians within the provincial and national structures, who have been accused of not listening to the concerns of KwaZulu-Natal.
By Saturday evening, there were already fears of another round of unrest in the state.
The unrest in July 2021 erupted after President Zuma was arrested after failing to comply with a Constitutional Court order to appear before the Zondo Commission into state takeover.
During the unrest, 350 people died, damage to infrastructure and businesses cost the South African economy R50 billion, and a further two million jobs were lost or affected.
Deployed resources
An insider familiar with police deployment in the state told News24 that police have been deployed to key areas and are listening to any tip-offs of “escalation”.
“We had been out throughout the night, from about 5pm in the Cato Ridge area near Pietermaritzburg.”
The insiders did not reveal details of the operation but said they were fully prepared for any violence.
A person involved said:
We know what has happened before and we are working fast and ahead of time now to ensure there are no shortages.
By Monday morning, the main road between Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal had been reopened.
Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netsinda said there had been no reports of roadblocks or disturbances since Sunday evening.
A source at the Durban Crime Intelligence Unit said they were also on high alert.
“The organisation is there, we have met, we have discussed. We are in key areas to prevent any eventuality. We have many soldiers on the ground and are getting information from all our resources.”
Mobilizing the Community
KwaMashu Community Police Forum (CPF) president Xolo Hlatshwayo also said he was on high alert.
She said:
We are afraid that something like the July riots will happen again. We cannot go back to that. The people lost a lot then.
She said the unrest has placed extra costs on the community in the form of transportation costs.
“Bridge City Mall was destroyed and we were forced to travel to faraway places like Gateway in Umhlanga. People have made huge sacrifices and many homes have been destroyed.”
She added that there were reports of a gathering at Midway Crossing Mall in Ntuzuma but it was quickly dispersed.
“Police observed a small crowd but quickly dispersed them. These gatherings are a concern for us but we are pleased that police have been vigilant. People should report such incidents to the police.”
Nazir Sadak, a community leader in eThekwini North and spokesperson for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), said he did not want to panic but was also wary of the possibility of violence.
“We've sent a message to the community to stay calm. We don't want to panic, but we are taking precautions. We don't want to be caught off guard like we were in 2021.”
He said there had been reports of a rally but it was unclear what it was related to.
“We cannot confirm whether it is to celebrate the MKP's victory in KwaZulu-Natal or something else. In any case, we and the police are keeping a close eye on everything.”
Kodi Chetty, a community leader in Usherville, said the Usherville CPF has been implementing plans in recent weeks, including 24-hour patrols and setting up watch points at night.
“We also conducted several joint operations with SAPS and security companies to ensure high visibility and presence. We established garrisons outside informal settlements and other hotspots.”
He said the Usherville community, which was hit hard during the unrest, “will not be caught off guard like last time.”
“And our members are ready to mobilize for any disruption that may arise. With high levels of corruption and little support from elected officials, communities have come together and leveraged their own resources to get things done for safety and security.”
“We are in touch with all sectors through our vast network and can assure you that no matter any disruptions, we are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to protect our neighbourhoods.”
