Police ready to crack down on election violence, warns Cele
Police Minister Bheki Cele has given an assurance that officers are ready to deal with any possible disruptions during next month’s elections.
Cele was in Winterveld, north of Pretoria, where he officially opened the newly-renovated Dube Police Station.
Earlier this month tensions flared during a televised election debate in Hout Bay, with chairs sent flying, while some protesting communities have also threatened to disrupt the polls should their grievances not be addressed.
Vuwani residents have also threatened to not allow the Independent Electoral Commission access to the town due to their ongoing demarcation battle.
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Cele said police have identified areas where violence might flare up.
"We have acknowledged that there are areas where there is political intolerance, yesterday I was told that in KZN residents chased away some people who were putting up placards. We have met with the IEC it has given us the list of stations that could not open during the registration process.”
The police is also aware of areas where people have threatened they would stop others from voting due to service delivery grievances.
Cele warned officers not to get involved in politics but to do their work.
"If the police can stick to the code of their conduct they will do their work as required. If someone comes to open a case their political affiliations should not matter."