KZN ready to host 2026 LGE

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said that KwaZulu-Natal is ready to host the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Masemola was speaking during a media briefing at the SAPS Provincial Office on Friday, where he outlined the SAPS state of readiness, including the operational measures in place to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process in the province.

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He said that different provinces have been visited and assessed on their state of readiness to ensure that the necessary operational plans, resources and security measures are in place.

“Having completed this process, we are confident in our state of preparedness. We are satisfied that the necessary measures have been put in place and that the SAPS is ready to discharge its responsibility of ensuring safe, secure and peaceful elections,” said Masemola.

He said that 331 high-risk voting stations had been identified across the country and that these were located in areas that have the potential to experience instability, particularly as a result of service delivery protests, community unrest and other security related incidents.

KZN was identified as having the highest-number of high-risk voting stations, with 165 identified across the province. Of these, 124 are in the eThekwini District, 16 in uThukela, 13 in Amajuba, 11 in Zululand and one in the Ugu District.

Masemola said that these assessments had been taken into consideration in their operational planning and that resources had been deployed accordingly.

He said that the police were however concerned about the killings and attacks targeting political party supporters, party members and ward candidates.

“These acts of violence have no place in our democracy. No person should lose their life or be attacked simply because of their political affiliation or their decision to participate in the electoral process,” said Masemola.

He added that the recent court application by the SAPS concerning marches and public demonstrations in the province was to ensure that organisers and participants complied with the law when exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate. This application follows escalating incidents of violence, intimidation and destruction of property associated with marches in and around Durban.

Speaking about election preparations, Masemola said that the police were already at the warehouses and deployments were in place, adding that deployments on the ground would be increased to strengthen police visibility, enhance their response capabilities and ensure that they are ready for any eventuality.

He said that the police would be deployed to support and secure special voting operations, working closely with the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

Some police officers have undergone training as presiding officers to support the electoral process, where required, in accordance with the arrangements with the IEC.

Masemola said they would have a Venue Operational Centre at each Results Operations Centre to strengthen co-ordination, communication and operational oversight.

He said that detailed plans were in place to ensure the safety and security of ballot papers and other election material. These include the safe transportation and escorting of ballots to designated voting stations.

“Our members are being strategically deployed, particularly at identified high-risk voting stations, to ensure that potential threats are addressed before they escalate into incidents that could disrupt the electoral process,” he added.

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Masemola condemned the carrying of firearms and dangerous weapons within the boundaries of voting stations.

He said that their members would remain at voting stations for the duration of the voting process to ensure that voters could cast their ballots in a safe and secure environment.

Masemola said that police stations would remain operational and continue serving communities as they normally did.

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