’21 politically motivated murders recorded during election period’

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) says 21 politically motivated murder cases were recorded during this local government election period nationally.

The security cluster says it will continue with security operations during the counting of votes and beyond the announcement of the election results—to ensure law and order.

This includes monitoring possible tensions and responding to any incidents that may arise as political parties and their supporters react to the outcome.

Members of NATJOINTS briefed the media at the Result Operations Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, following Wednesday’s local government elections.

SAPS Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Policing, Tebello Mosikili, says, “We have entered from midnight the post-election phase that we will continue to monitor until the last vote has been calculated, including on the voting end and announcements are done. Even beyond the announcement, there will be a period where people are going to be enjoying others; of course, it is going to affect us differently. That, as well as part and parcel of the security plan, we will continue until the results are set. So, we will continue with our operations until we know that the election process has concluded.”

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure media briefing: