As voting begins in the Eastern Cape, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has called for peace, mutual respect and cooperation among all political parties.

“Upholding free, fair and credible elections is a shared community responsibility,” he said in a Facebook post.

Police officers have also been deployed in the area to maintain a safe and secure environment.

Community safety

Eastern Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata emphasised the SAPS mandate of impartiality, professionalism, and community safety.

He instructed members to execute their duties with discipline, to act decisively against any unlawful conduct, and to ensure that every voter in the Eastern Cape can exercise their constitutional right to vote in a safe and secure environment.

The provincial commissioner reiterated that the SAPS is not a player in these elections but the guarantor of the conditions under which democracy can take place.

He further emphasised that no political affiliation places anyone above the law.

Aerial surveillance over hotspot districts

Ncata will also conduct aerial surveillance across the OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, and Joe Gqabi districts as part of the province’s election-day operational plan.

He said police officers remains fully deployed and operationally ready to protect the integrity of the ballot and the peace of the province.

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