South Africa identifies 33 high-risk polling stations in Western Cape
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
Western Cape police are deploying increased security for South Africa’s municipal elections after classifying 33 of the 1,633 polling stations as high risk. More than 3.4 million voters are registered in the province, according to provincial commissioner Sizakhele Dyantyi, cited by the Sunday Times.
Thirty-three of the 1,633 polling stations in Western Cape were classified as high risk ahead of South Africa’s municipal elections scheduled for Wednesday 4 November. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi cited political intolerance, conflicts between parties, crime and protests among the threats identified, TimesLIVE reports.
More than 3.4 million voters are registered in the province. Police prepared the security operation with the Electoral Commission of South Africa and other security services, deploying specialist units, investigators, intelligence services, municipal police, traffic officers and canine teams in particular.
The forces will be deployed on foot, on horseback and in vehicles. Drones and other technological resources may also be used. Sizakhele Dyantyi called on residents to obey the law and not to circulate inflammatory messages or unverified information on social media.
The classification of the 33 stations follows the identification, on 31 October, of 331 high-risk polling stations across South Africa. It complements preparations related to the 1.4 million special votes registered before the municipal election.
