Police top brass are sticking to their guns, saying there will be enough boots on the ground to ensure a fair and peaceful election. They were responding to concerns raised about possible violent protests by supporters of Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) said last Sunday authorities have identified at least 650 high-risk voting stations across the country and that “public order policing units are on the ground and ready” to prevent any threats such as community protests.
But days later an internal security threat analysis by the FirstRand Group was leaked to the media. It warned of the potential for violent protests in May and June by MK supporters in response to a Constitutional Court ruling on Monday that Zuma — whose picture will remain on the ballot for MK — was ineligible for election to the National Assembly.
A similar cautionary notice was issued by Fidelity Services Group. Reports by both companies — confirmed to be authentic — identified potential hotspots for protest action, which they named, in various provinces and towns.
The MK Party earlier in the week dismissed the FirstRand Group threat analysis as fearmongering and lies.
The NatJoints ... is ready for any eventuality. We have been responding to nationwide protests and our response as the security cluster has been prompt, swift and
— NatJoints spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe
co-ordinated
NatJoints spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said on Friday that the security cluster is ready for the elections and will not tolerate any threats, intimidation or violence.
“The NatJoints ... is ready for any eventuality. We have been responding to nationwide protests and our response as the security cluster has been prompt, swift and
co-ordinated. We are therefore ready to respond to any lawlessness and we will not tolerate any threats, intimidation and violence,” she said.
“We trust South Africans to abide by the country’s laws to ensure the smooth running of elections and the period beyond.”
The FirstRand memo, compiled by group security manager John du Plessis, reads: “Members/supporters of the MK Party previously voiced intent to embark on nationwide protest action in the event that Zuma is barred from contesting the elections.”
It cited potential risks associated with any protests such as intimidation, malicious damage to property, arson, barricading of roads, looting, hijacking of trucks and clashes with political opponents.
Provincial hotspots singled out for particular attention included KwaZulu-Natal and to a lesser extent Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications for the Fidelity Services Group, confirmed the veracity of its statement. FirstRand Group said earlier in the week the document is a routine threat analysis, shared internally for employees.
