South Africa: Police minister expresses readiness for May 29 national elections

The South African Police Minister has assured that the SA Police Service (SAPS) and Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security Cluster are ready for the much anticipated provincial and national elections.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of a deployment of crime-fighting units in some South African cities, minister Beki Cele warned that those inciting violence ahead of the elections, will not go unpunished.

Mr. Cele stressed that the police ministry has been in contact with the Electoral Commission (IEC) to prepare adequately for the polls.

He noted further that there are about 632 stations around the country that are problematic and will need extra resources.

The minister, however, assured “South Africans that as the elections approach, nobody will be allowed to mess around.

Cele stated that police management had been to various locations and met with police station commanders, as well as collaborated with sister structures such as the Department of Justice and Defence, to ensure a successful election.

South Africa will elect a new National Assembly on May 29 as well as the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces.

This will be the seventh general election held since the end of apartheid in 1994.