By OBAKENG MAJE

4 November 2026 – The acting Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia has assured South Africans that the police are taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for voters as the country prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Cachalia made the assurance during a visit to the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) National Operations Centre at Gallagher Convention Centre on 3 November 2026.

He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo and the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel. The delegation met with IEC Commissioners, who briefed them on the progress of the two-day special voting process and the operational arrangements ahead of the main voting day on Wednesday, 4 November.

Cachalia acknowledged that several incidents had been reported in different parts of the country during the special voting process. He confirmed that police had made arrests in connection with reported incidents.

Cachalia warned that lawlessness and any conduct that threatens the integrity of the electoral process would not be tolerated.

“The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) continues to coordinate security operations and strengthen preparedness to ensure that all necessary measures are in place for voting day.

“The Ministry of Police, working together with the IEC and other relevant stakeholders, was committed to supporting the delivery of free, fair and peaceful elections,” he said.

Cachalia reiterated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) would enforce the law impartially and decisively to ensure that all eligible South Africans could exercise their democratic right to vote in a safe and secure environment.

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