Premier calls for violence-free elections

KZN Premier expresses concern over the potential for political intolerance, intimidation, provocation and violence

1 hour ago

Muzi Zincume 2 minutes read

With the Local Government Elections today (4 November), KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli is calling for parties, candidates, and supporters to uphold democratic values.

This was shared when he presented the Provincial Election Readiness Report at the official launch of the Provincial Results Operation Centre at the Durban ICC.

Ntuli welcomed the progress made by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), municipalities and all institutions involved in preparing for the elections.

“The IEC said they have recruitment of election personnel has reached 99%, with 40 377 of the required 40 940 officials recruited, vetted and trained,” he says.

Bulk materials have been delivered to Municipal Electoral Offices, while Voter Management Devices have undergone operational testing.

He notes provincial government is working with the IEC, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Eskom, Telkom and major telecommunications service providers through the Voting Station Infrastructure Task Team. Security readiness, Ntuli notes, is being led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and supported through the Provincial Joint Operations Committee (PROJOC).

Concerns around violence

He expressed concern over the potential for political intolerance, intimidation, provocation and violence.

“KwaZulu-Natal must demonstrate we are capable of conducting elections that are peaceful, free, fair and credible. Political parties may have different ideologies, manifestos and aspirations, but these differences must never become a justification for hostility, intimidation or violence.”

Ntuli further urged political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their members and supporters, particularly in areas where political tensions may emerge.

He said party leadership must actively discourage inflammatory statements, misinformation, threats and any conduct that could undermine peace and public confidence in the electoral process.

IEC election numbers

– Registered voters: 6 030 969 – surpassing the six-million mark for the first time.

– KZN voting stations: 5 028 voting stations (21% of the country’s stations) including 4 871 permanent, 148 temporary, and nine mobile voting stations

– KZN voting regions: 921 wards across 10 district municipalities, 43 local municipalities and one metropolitan municipality

– Candidates: 26 633 candidates (66% men and 34% women)

– Municipal seats: 2 166

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