Police Ministry assures voters of safe, spotless elections as special votes wrap up

The Police Ministry has assured South Africans that every measure is being put in place to deliver free, fair and peaceful elections, as the two-day special voting process came to an end on Tuesday.

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel, visited the Electoral Commission's National Operations Centre at Gallagher Convention Centre on Tuesday as Day 2 of special voting drew to a close.

The delegation met with IEC Commissioners and was briefed on the progress of special voting and the security plans in place for Wednesday's main voting day.

The Ministry said it had taken note of a number of incidents reported across the country during special voting, and confirmed that arrests have already been made.

"While the process has been underway, a number of incidents have been reported in various parts of the country. The police have effected arrests in connection with reported incidents and reiterate that lawlessness and any conduct that threatens the integrity of the electoral process will not be tolerated," the Ministry said.

The assurance comes after a tense 48 hours for election security. In the Eastern Cape, two suspects were arrested at Ngcobo Police Station after allegedly impersonating IEC officials to try to collect voting material.

In KwaZulu-Natal, police had to intervene after supporters of a contesting party forced their way into an IEC satellite storage facility at Dassenhoek library, with similar attempts reported in Richmond, uMkhambathini and Pietermaritzburg where parties tried to post private guards at warehouses.

The Ministry said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is continuing to coordinate operational readiness to ensure all security measures are in place for election day.

"The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) continues to coordinate and strengthen operational readiness to ensure that all necessary security measures are in place ahead of tomorrow's voting day," the Ministry added.

"The Police Ministry assures the public that every effort is being made, in collaboration with the IEC and relevant stakeholders, to support the delivery of free, fair and peaceful elections."

Cachalia's visit to the ROC is a routine but symbolic step, signalling that the security cluster is on standby.

More than 26 million registered voters are expected to cast their ballots on Wednesday in the 2026 Local Government Elections, with thousands of voting stations and storage facilities under police guard.

The Ministry stressed that police will act impartially and decisively.

"The South African Police Service remains committed to enforcing the law impartially and decisively, ensuring that all South Africans can exercise their democratic right to vote in a safe and secure environment," the statement read.

The police have urged political parties, candidates and voters to respect the Electoral Code of Conduct and to report any suspicious activity at voting stations or storage facilities.