hosted by the Department of Community Safety and Liaison
8 April 2009
The MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison is gearing up for the
2009 election. Lawyers in KwaZulu-Natal volunteer to be observers during the
upcoming elections to ensure a free and fair process.
Today he hosted a training workshop on the Electoral Code of Conduct and
oversight roles of the various role-players supporting a peaceful and
democratic election. Oversight monitors and more than 60 independent observers
coming from the legal fraternity in KwaZulu-Natal were afforded the opportunity
to be fully briefed on the "dos" and "don'ts" of election procedures.
This is a unique partnership in the country between the IEC, Department of
Community Safety and Liaison, South African Police Service (SAPS) and the
Democracy Development Programme (DDP). The department has previously integrated
with the IEC during the 2006 Local Government elections to promote peace and
stability among communities during the voting period. The
Communities-in-Dialogue programme of the department assisted in 2006 to diffuse
tensions and conflicts in various hotspots in the province.
The initiative seeks to give clarity on the role and powers of the police,
Electoral staff and all other role-players. This is intended to reduce tensions
on the ground and have resources available to provide advice within the
parameters of the law as set out in the Electoral Code and other relevant
legislation.
The department's officials will be deployed all over the province,
especially at hot spots, to ensure that police are carrying out their duties in
terms of their election operation plans so that security forces are fully
committed to protecting and serving the electorate. This mandate comes from
Chapter 11, section 206 of the Constitution which gives the MEC the powers to
play an oversight role on the police and ensure that the community and police
enjoy good relations.
This mandate is relevant and must be put into action now, more than ever, as
this is deemed to be a watershed election.
Enquiries:
Jasmin Bacus
Cell: 082 377 7805
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
8 April 2009
Source: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Government (http://www.kzntransport.gov.za)
