Cele: Elections were safe, 188 criminal cases opened
Government’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster says the elections were secure and safe despite several arrests.
The team briefed the media in Pretoria on Monday
Following the arrest of 20 people for double voting, 19 in Kwazulu-Natal and one in Gauteng, Police Minster Bheki Cele said 188 cases were registered countrywide.
"In terms of crime in general, the number of cases registered was 188 in total, 203 suspects were arrested, 53 cases are in court, 99 cases are under investigation and nine cases are currently with the senior public prosecutor for a decision."
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Over 51 000 police officers were deployed at different voting stations and intervention teams were deployed in hot-spot areas such as Vuwani in Limpopo, Nongoma and Vryheld in KZN and Bloemhof and Brits in the North West.
According to Cele, 16 people were arrested for unlawfully removing billboards in KZN, while in the Eastern Cape 14 people were charged with public violence and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
Cele did not want to be drawn into politicians accused of interfering with the election, but confirmed that there is an investigation underway and statements are being taken.