Lawlessness, threats, violence won’t be tolerated during elections

"You are warned not to step out of line."

This is a stern warning issued by security chiefs heading the National Joint Operational and Intelligent Structure (NATjoints) ahead of elections. Law enforcement agencies also outlined a zero-tolerance approach to incitement of violence, disruption and any attempts to undermine efforts to ensure stability.

Deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili said teams were on high alert following various incidents including threats and lawlessness that have been unfolding in different parts of the country.

She said the teams were at sensitive and critical stage of their operations which require them to heighten police visibility and ensure more boots are on the ground in all corners of the country.

"We therefore take this opportunity to caution responsible citizens, especially social media users, from spreading fake news. You are all urged to verify facts first before sharing any information which often leads to unnecessary confusion and panic.

"We will not tolerate any incitement of violence on any platforms. Our intelligence communities and cybercrime units are closely monitoring online users. You are warned not to step out of line."

Mosikili said intelligence communities and cybercrime units are closely monitoring online users who are spreading disinformation.

The warning came after videos by MK Party supporters were posted on social media where supporters can be seen at an Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) facility, alleging vote rigging at a storage in Hammersdal, KwaZulu-Natal. In the background, members can also be heard asking why the ballots were at the facility when voting had not begun.

The videos were also widely circulated at the weekend by former president Jacob Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla on social media platform X.

IEC deputy chief electoral Officer Masego Shiburi set the record straight following the unauthorised entry of the MK Party members at a  facility.

Shiburi said the videos depict the commission's planned logistical arrangements and storage of election materials in preparation for the first day of special voting today.

"These are legitimate and authorised arrangements for the distribution of ballot papers and other bulk material. The planned security measures were that the trucks distributing ballot papers are escorted by SAPS to the local storage site," he said.

"These storage sites will then be guarded on a 24 hours basis. This arrangement would ensure that the storage sites are protected against unauthorised entry, burglary and tampering with election materials and ensure detailed control and recording of all items in storage."

He said the actions of the MK supporters in the video constituted criminal offences in terms of the Electoral Act and interfered with the work of the commission. He said the commission has referred the matter to the police.

"The commission is in contact with the party and SAPS who is charge of the safekeeping of the ballots. The commission notes that the individuals seen in the video entered the warehouse without authorisation and filmed their unauthorised activities," he said.

"The commission further notes that members of MK are now at the provincial warehouse of the commission where the ballots were returned. No party will be allowed to gain entry into the warehouse premises of the commission. We instruct the leadership of MK Party to immediately leave the warehouse as the commission urgently needs to finalise the distribution of election material."

In another incident in the same province, a presiding officer in eThekwini was woken at his home in the middle of the night about bulk material stored at the Baptist Church voting station in Chesterville.

Bulk material is voting booths, voting station signage/banners and new unfolded ballot boxes.

This bulk electoral material was taken to Cato Manor police station in eThekwini.

"It is part of the logistical plan for the commission to deliver bulk material to voting stations ahead of election day. This is meant to ensure that voting stations open on time as only security material such as ballot papers will be delivered on the day of voting," he said.

"The commission strongly condemns threats to its staff. No party nor its representatives have authority to gain access to private homes of electoral staff."

Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans should be concerned about the obstruction of election activities, including unlawful entry at IEC storage sites in KZN.

"We once again call upon all parties, candidates, supporters and every South African to refrain from any action that could interfere with the due electoral process," he said.

A leaked internal memo  from provincial police that was circulated on social media warned KwaZulu-Natal police to be on standby over fears that MK supporters could embark on protests.

Yesterday, provincial police spokesperson Jay Naicker said internal communique was not for public consumption and police don't discuss internal documents or operational decisions in the public domain.

Shiburi said over 1.6-million South Africans have been approved to vote by special votes today and tomorrow.

Of these, 624,593 were approved as voters who are going to be visited at their homes or places of confinement. About 1,043,483 are voters who will vote at the voting stations where they are registered.

sibiya@sowetan.co.za