27 February 2006
The MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng, Mr Firoz Cachalia, together with
the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Perumal Naidoo, told the media today that
all systems are in place to ensure a safe environment for voters on 1 March.
This was said at a press briefing aimed at assuring the public about measures
in place to ensure free, fair and safe elections in the province.
The MEC emphasised that the role of the police is to protect the democratic
process. Referring to the deployment numbers the MEC indicated that on the day
of voting there will be in the excess of 20 000 police officers deployed around
the province to ensure that elections proceed in a safe environment and to
carry out normal crime combating operations. He said the South African Police
Service (SAPS) had also established a co-ordinating committee, which includes
the Metro Police, disaster management, a medical team, and an Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) representative. The MEC expressed satisfaction with
the plans in place and also indicated that he is confident that the police are
prepared and ready for any eventuality.
The MEC also said that the risk assessment made by the police suggests that
since April 1994 there has been a progressive reduction in the levels of
inter-party tension associated with elections and a growing normalisation of
democratic politics. He said he also expected that even in areas where there
had recently been protests on service delivery, there will be high levels of
political participation and an atmosphere of relative calm.
Asked about conditions in Khutsong the MEC said that based on the
exceptional situation in the area additional police resources will be made
available to protect the rights of those voters who wish to exercise their
democratic right to vote. He said that the police will stay in Khutsong for as
long as is necessary to prevent violence and to protect persons and property.
He said throughout the province plans are in place to deploy additional police
resources should the need arise.
For more information contact:
Phumla Mthala
Tel: (011) 689 3633
Cell: 082 909 3708
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Gauteng Provincial
Government
27 February 2006
