KZN police ready to protect voters’ rights ahead of May polls
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi vows that the righst of voters will be protected in May's general elections.
He was speaking at a multi-party political intervention committee meeting in Nongoma on Friday.
It follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's plea to political parties in KZN to be tolerant and respectful.
Mkhwanazi says everyone should be able to campaign freely.
"The constitution assigns us police officers the duty of defending people's rights, so that they can exercise those rights without interference.
We are aware that when elections draw near people become more emotional and they have a tendency to disregard and disrespect other people's rights to democracy."
Earlier this month, the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni warned against the use of inciteful rhetoric.
This followed utterances by members of the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party, which is backed by former president Jacob Zuma, seemingly threatening anarchy should Zuma’s face not appear on the ballot.
Ntshavheni warned against lawlessness.
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“Law enforcement agencies must do their work to apprehend those who intimidate South Africans, as instructed by the president. There will be free and fair elections in this country, we will protect that with all we have.
“There won’t be mayhem. There won’t be a repeat of the July unrest in this country,” she said.
The Independent Electoral Commission has also warned political parties to abide by the electoral code of conduct ahead of the hotly contested polls.
Additional information by Masechaba Sefularo
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