Police reinforcements deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to prevent post-election unrest

To prevent a potential breakdown of law and order, the South African police have deployed more officers to KwaZulu-Natal after the keenly contested election.

The deployment came after former president Jacob Zuma, who is the incumbent leader of the uMkontho weSizwe Party (MK), argued that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) should not declare the election results until the votes are recounted.

The MK party said it suspects rigging as Mr Zuma threatened that releasing any statement would be equivalent to provocation.

Despite Zuma’s threats, the electoral commission insisted that the elections were free and fair and no recounting will be done.

Speaking on the deployment of security officers of the flash point, the national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the move was part of the safety and security national and provincial election plan.

The move by the police is part of an initiative to prevent a repeat of ugly situations after Zuma’s arrest led to an unrest in July 2021, which resulted in over 350 deaths and more than R50 billion in economic damage.