By Levy Masiteng
Senior police executives will visit provinces to assess security preparations for the 4 November local government elections, focusing on policing resources, intelligence coordination and measures to prevent voter intimidation.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane announced the assessments on Monday during the national launch of the 2026/2027 Safer Festive Season Operations at Kwabokweni Stadium in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
“These engagements will evaluate security plans, resources, intelligence coordination and stakeholder cooperation, ensuring that political parties campaign freely, voters participate without intimidation and democratic processes proceed peacefully.”
The election security assessments will run alongside a wider national policing campaign aimed at combating violent crime, organised criminal networks and cross-border criminal activity during the festive season.
Dimpane said SAPS would intensify intelligence-led policing at crime hotspots, border crossings and major transport routes, with additional personnel and resources deployed to strengthen frontline policing.
“Our mission is clear: every person must be able to travel, work, worship, celebrate and return home safely,” she said.
The campaign will be guided by a five-pillar operational approach covering high-density policing and crime prevention; serious and organised crime; road safety and transport security; protection of tourism destinations, businesses and public spaces; and stronger community partnerships, victim support and accountable service delivery.
Priority crimes include aggravated robberies, hijackings, illegal firearms, illicit liquor, human trafficking and smuggling, alongside an intensified response to gender-based violence and femicide.
“We will protect women, children and vulnerable persons and enforce road safety laws against speeding, reckless driving and driving under the influence,” Dimpane said.
Targeted interventions are planned for policing precincts affected by persistent crime patterns, with measures to improve police station accessibility, strengthen investigations and improve service delivery.
All nine provinces will hold their own festive season policing launches to adapt the national strategy to local crime patterns.
Senior police management will conduct further provincial visits in December to monitor operational performance and strengthen deployments where necessary, particularly in coastal provinces, tourism destinations and areas expecting large numbers of holidaymakers.
SAPS identified Beitbridge, Maseru and Lebombo among the border crossings requiring continued operational focus. Airports, railway stations, taxi ranks, transport corridors and public spaces will also remain priorities.
Dimpane said the operations would involve cooperation with traffic authorities, metropolitan police departments, border management structures and other security stakeholders.
“We encourage joint multidisciplinary operations, coordinated intelligence sharing and sustained interventions that eliminate operational gaps and maximise collective impact,” she said.
During the 2024/2025 festive season, SAPS reported that nationwide operations between 11 October 2024 and 31 January 2025 resulted in 244,951 arrests.
The campaign included roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, tracing wanted suspects and increased police visibility at crime hotspots, malls, beaches and strategic routes.
In its 2025/2026 campaign, police emphasised coordinated enforcement through Operation Shanela II, including high-density patrols, vehicle checkpoints and compliance inspections at liquor outlets and other businesses.
Dimpane urged citizens to report suspicious activities, share credible information, participate in Community Policing Forums and work closely with local police stations. She also called on businesses, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and civil society to support crime prevention efforts.
“Trust must be earned through professional service. Every person reporting crime deserves dignity, every victim deserves compassionate assistance, and every legitimate community concern deserves a response,” she said.
Dimpane warned that professional conduct and accountability would remain central to the campaign, with officers who abused their authority facing consequences.
“To those intending to exploit and disrupt the festive season ~ SAPS is prepared, our resources are mobilised, our partnerships are strengthened and our members are ready to act decisively within the law,” she said.
“Let us make safety a shared national responsibility.”
INSIDE POLITICS
