POLOKWANE – Security measures ahead of Wednesday’s Local Government Elections are expected to dominate this morning’s media briefing in Ladine, where provincial police commissioner Lt Gen Jan Scheepers and IEC provincial electoral officer Nkaro Mateta will outline plans to ensure a safe voting environment free from crime and disruption.
The briefing will be held under joint police and IEC structures, alongside other multidisciplinary bodies responsible for provincial security coordination, law enforcement and intelligence operations.
High alert after 2024 violence
Security forces are expected to remain on high alert to prevent possible disruptions, with memories still fresh of pre-election violence during the 2024 national elections. These include a campaign clash in Juju Valley, Seshego, where a child was injured during a confrontation between rival party members.
According to the IEC, Polokwane is a major electoral battleground, with 37 political parties contesting 45 wards.
Voting stations across Polokwane will open at 07:00 and close at 21:00 on election day. Voters who are in the queue by closing time will still be allowed to cast their ballots.
Results Operations Centre to launch
Following this morning’s briefing, the IEC will launch its Provincial Results Operations Centre on Saturday evening at The Ranch Resort.
The high-security centre will serve as the hub for capturing, verifying and displaying election results.
Locals have their say
Polokwane Observer asked residents, what they base their vote on and whether they intend to vote for different parties on the three respective ballots.
Mafiwa Leballo: “I will be voting one in all ballots because I believe the party has the potential to turn it around. I base my vote on those who can accommodate, especially older citizens who face huge municipal bills. In many households, it is grannies and grandfathers on social grants who must provide for grandchildren and for many people who are not working. And you seem to require affiliation with specific groups to be considered for these opportunities.”
Mpumelelo Mthimkhulu: “I’m voting for one party through all three ballots. That way I know I have given a full mandate to one party that I can hold accountable.”
Lesetja Mothupi: “I will be voting for one party in all ballots. My loyalty is not seasonal. I am a living testimony of Tintswalo. I went to government schools, NSFAS paid for my university, and my child received a Sassa grant before I worked. Government policies have brought me to where I am today.”
Annatjie Harmse: I base my vote on the effectiveness of the candidates for the ward I am in. To me, service delivery is high on my list. The party that fights corruption is also high on my agenda. To me, this is a very important election. I pledge to you: please go and vote. Every vote counts.
Lehlogonolo Hamese: “I won’t be voting again. The voting system is a facade, a poor illusion of democracy. As a born-free, I have lived long enough to know there’s no real democracy. Opportunities are still gatekept, elitism is rife.”
Koketso Sekhwela has five years’ experience in the media industry having worked in print and broadcast community newsrooms. Sekhwela is an alumnus at the Universities of Venda and Johannesburg and a post-graduate student at her first alma mater for her studies in the media business. She occupies pages one to three, which is considered the hard news section, in the bi-weekly Bonus Review and the weekly Polokwane Observer. Her news consists of real crime, politics and socio-economic stories that impact the people of Polokwane, Seshego, Mankweng and their immediate outskirts. WhatsApp her on 067 863 5099 for a potential story.
