Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G
The National Joint Operations and Intelligence Organization (Natjoints) is confident it has put in place sufficient security measures to ensure that the May 29 general elections are held without any incidents of crime or sabotage, said its chairman Thebelo Moshikiri. The lieutenant general said.
Moshikiri said at a media briefing on Sunday that the NatJoints Coordination Center will be operational from Wednesday May 22 to June 9 in the run-up to the election and will work around the clock to proactively identify threats and vulnerabilities. Ta.
“After conducting a national security assessment with key players in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster, we are satisfied with the operational plan currently in place and believe that an environment suitable for peaceful elections is in place. I can assure South Africans that we are prepared,'' she said.
Moshikiri said security forces were aware of social media posts this week by a group of truck drivers calling for closures, warning: “We will not tolerate any intimidation, intimidation or road closures.”
“Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent criminal activity and inconvenience to law-abiding members of the public. I urge you to spread the word,” she said.
He said a number of high-risk polling stations with potentially unstable cases had been identified and plans were being made for the possible deployment of South African Defense Force personnel.
50 election-related incidents were reported during two voter registration weekends in November 2023 and February this year, and 45 suspects were arrested across the country on charges including election law violations, assault, and malicious damage to property. It was done.
Moshikili said 23 cases were reported during the post-voter registration weekend. Among them was a 64-year-old woman who was arrested in Sarsolburg, Free State, after being filmed on video defacing election posters. A 70-year-old man was also arrested in Gauteng province after he was seen on video illegally removing posters.
Police were investigating two incidents of break-in and theft at South African Electoral Commission offices in Houghton, Gauteng, and Caledon, Western Cape.
Mr Moshikiri said one of the biggest threats was fake news, and the NutJoints, led by the South African Police Service, South African Defense Force and National Security Agency, said that not only fake news but also “unconfirmed information, rumors and threats can lead to panic and confusion. and may even lead to violence.”
“We urge the public to first check the facts before sharing anything on social media platforms. If found to be sharing inflammatory messages and inciting violence, Those who do will be prosecuted accordingly,” she said.
Defense Minister Thandi Modise said last month that the government had taken steps to protect all public facilities, national strategic locations and other critical infrastructure that could be targeted by criminal elements.
Modise said those found guilty of damaging critical infrastructure could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
He said this year's general election is expected to be the most competitive in the country's history, with 14,903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the national and state legislatures.