The ANC prioritises community policing, emphasising the involvement of local communities in crime prevention. On the other hand, the DA advocates for a more professional and well-equipped police force.

Interestingly, a compatibility test has shown that if the ANC and DA were to form a coalition, their combined efforts could effectively decrease crime rates.

Independent social economist and business and process consultant, Louis Kruger has measured the parties’ compatibility, by analysing their policies, media responses and press releases, public sentiment surveys and case studies.

“After evaluating the potential outcomes of various coalition arrangements following the 2024 South African elections, I believe that a partnership between the ANC and DA could have a positive impact on public safety and crime reduction in the country.”

Kruger said the ANC and DA‘s take on public safety and crime are:

• Policing Strategies: Both parties want better policing but have different methods. ANC focuses on community policing, while DA wants more professional and well-resourced police.
• Crime Prevention: ANC believes in community programs to prevent crime, while DA wants to use data and evidence to create effective strategies.
• Judicial Reforms: Both want a better judicial system, but the DA pushes more for accountability and speed.
• Corruption: Both agree on fighting corruption, but the DA is stricter about transparency.
• Resource Allocation: ANC wants resources spread fairly across communities, while DA focuses on using resources efficiently and transparently.“

“By combining their respective 40.18% and 21.81% vote shares, the ANC and DA would represent a majority of the population and could form a moderate, more stable coalition government. This political stability and centrist approach could send positive signals to the business community, encouraging investment and economic growth. In turn, increased economic opportunities and social programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime could contribute to a safer public environment.”

“While no political solution is perfect, an ANC-DA coalition has the potential to strike a balance between the parties’ differing perspectives and prioritise the common goal of improving public safety for all South Africans,” Kruger explained.

Independent researcher on policing, David Bruce told ProtectionWeb a coalition “certainly could” lead to crime reduction.

“It would depend on appointing a minister who is strongly motivated to improve public safety and is suitable for the job in terms of being able to negotiate both the political and the policy side of the issue. Generally we have had ministers who are politicians but who neglect the need for strategic policy on how to strengthen the police,” he said.

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The province has remained on high alert as police and private security companies fear a repeat of the 2021 July riots when former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters went on a rampage after he was incarcerated. Zuma and supporters of his newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party are disgruntled over the election results and have accused the Independent Electoral Commission of rigging the numbers.

South African Police Service national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the latest deployment was in support of the the NATJOINTS safety and security 2024 National and Provincial Elections plan (NPE).

“This is the third deployment of additional police officers to KwaZulu-Natal covering the pre, during and post elections phase to maintain stability throughout the province.”

“The province of KwaZulu-Natal has been relatively stable thus far owing to the well-planned, coordinated, and executed PROVJOINTS operational plan,” she said.  

The first group of more than 200 members was deployed early in May while the second contingency of over 300 were deployed during the elections period.

“The latest deployment of more than 300 POP members is meant to bolster policing operations in the post elections phase.”

“The NATJOINTS NPE operational plan has entered its third phase. In this phase, law enforcement agencies monitor activities related to the outcome of the elections results. This means deployments remain in place at various places of interest and law enforcement agencies are ready for any emerging incidents,” said Mathe.

Speaking at a send-off parade, General Fannie Masemola said the continuous deployments in some areas formed part of the SAPS operational strategy to maintain stability throughout the country.

“We have delivered the 2024 NPE elections in a stable environment. Voters were able to exercise their democratic right without fear or favour, we will continue to respond accordingly to prevent and combat criminality. We thank voters and communities for thus far conducting themselves in an orderly and responsible manner. We hope this will prevail. Those who step out of line, will be dealt with,” he said.

The officers will also be deployed to the Tongaat area to assist with ensuring the safety and security of those who are affected by the tornado.

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Shortly after 11pm, a crowd had gathered at Hammarsdale Mall, alarming residents and local crime-fighting organisations.

However, Hammarsdale CPF public relations officer, Etienne Olivier said the South African Police Service (SAPS), private security companies and other law enforcement units had the situation under control and continued to patrol the area during the night.

Police and private security companies feared a repeat of the 2021 July riots when former president Jacob Zuma’s supporters went on a rampage when he was incarcerated. Zuma and supporters of his newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party are disgruntled over the election results and have accused the Independent Electoral Commission of rigging the numbers.

Ahead of the announcement of the results, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster warned it was ready to deal with any threats of instability.

“As the Security Cluster, we assure South Africans that law enforcement agencies stand ready to maintain peace and stability, as they have done throughout the election period.

“Any attempt to undermine the authority of the State and South Africa’s constitutional order will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” said police minister Bheki Cele.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said no one was exempt from the law.

“Anybody who threatens the security or the stability of the country, anybody who wants to undermine the constitutional order of the country, irrespective of who they are, the law enforcement will have to deal with them.”

Meanwhile a man, who allegedly shot dead two CPF members in Inanda, north of Durban, was killed in a shootout with police on Monday morning.

The man allegedly opened fire on officers when he was cornered.

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“The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with Eyes and Ears (E2) partners and other law enforcement agencies have shown the power of collaborative efforts in maintaining community safety and security. These efforts have also significantly bolstered our shared mission to create a safer environment for all, particularly during such pivotal events,” said BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers.

The support provided was within the framework of the national general elections security plan which was compiled by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).

Footage from E2 partners’ CCTV cameras, drones, and information provided from the helicopters was streamed live to the National and Provincial Operational Command Centres, which enhanced surveillance and response capabilities.

that the success of this national security plan stands as a testament to the dedication and strategic acumen of the SAPS, and the constructive partnership between government and the private sector.

BACSA executive project manager Fouché Burgers

“I would also like to commend all the E2 partners for their participation in this initiative of national importance. The provision of access to their facilities and the constant feedback supplied by security companies while patrolling their normal areas of business amplified the situational awareness on the ground and contributed in no small part to the maintenance of law and order over this period,” said Burgers.

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Results from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) showed that the African National Congress was in the lead with 42.3% of the votes.

The Democratic Alliance had 26.3 of the support from this voting districts while the Economic Freedom Fighters won 8.1% of the votes.

Election Day for hundreds of South Africans stretched into Thursday morning as “faulty scanners” plagued many voting stations. The IEC then ordered presiding officers to use the manual method instead.

To keep up to date on the results, visit the IEC results dashboard.

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“The EFF government will approach crime fighting with the understanding that crime is a socio-economic issue, aiming to eradicate it by economically developing communities and providing quality jobs and careers to those involved in criminal activities.”

The EFF manifesto has detailed plans to strengthen the police. An EFF government aims to employ an additional 100 000 police officers by 2026 and purchase an additional 7 000 police vehicles by 2027, on the condition that 50% of all parts are made in South Africa. All broken police vehicles will be repaired by 2025. “The EFF government will ensure that there are police cars with police officers that are tactically trained in all off-ramps, on-ramps, regional boundaries, and provincial boundaries.”

Police officers will be rewarded with bonuses for apprehending dangerous criminals, be given higher salaries to improve morale and reduce corruption, be given a standby allowance for extra police presence, and be subjected to mandatory fitness assessments every 24 months, with those found unfit dismissed from their positions.

The EFF government will increase police visibility in all communities, including routine and regular visibility in informal settlements, townships, rural areas and urban areas. “The EFF government will, by 2029, establish satellite police stations that will be open 24 hours a day and seven days a week in every ward of the country where there currently is no police station. The EFF government will re-open police and satellite police stations in Marabastad, Zandspruit, Kocksoord, Azaadville, Morula Sun, Melville, Zithobeni, Thembelihle, Tshepisong, Slovopark, and Mathole in Gauteng by 2027. The EFF government will re-open police and satellite police stations in Siyathemba, Emjindini, Botleng, Tjakastad, Kwazamokuhle, Msogwaba, Daanjie, Hectorspuit, Lebohang, Badfontein, Dundonald, Phola, Thuthukani, Phungutsha, and Kamhlushwa in Mpumalanga by 2027.”

Other efforts to strengthen law enforcement include employing highly qualified detectives; analysing crime patterns and trends; ensuring that the loss of a docket leads to immediate dismissal; introducing a new police training curriculum; and strengthening the fight against gender-based violence by upskilling police officers, providing counselling services, and DNA kits.

“The EFF government will deploy a special task team to deal with gangsterism and drugs in places such as the Cape Flats in Cape Town, Eldorado, Westbury, Hillbrow, and Yeoville.” It will also engage in consistent roadblocks, including stop-and-search operations to fight the transportation of drugs, illegal firearms, retrieve stolen vehicles, apprehend wanted suspects, and identify drunk drivers, with a zero tolerance approach to drunk driving.

An EFF government will improve the capacity of crime intelligence to include the usage of technology to solve crimes, such as the installation of CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence and face recognition, and ensure that police have body cameras and vehicle dashboard cameras and radios.

“The EFF government will train, remunerate, supply uniforms, torches, and bulletproof vests to Community Policing Forums and municipal street patrollers across the country and encourage the formation of crime watch and street committees in crime hotspot communities and areas. The EFF government will give rewards to citizens who submit evidence depicting alleged criminal activities, including drug dealing, social crimes, and domestic violence.”

“The EFF government will enhance Police Foot Patrols in densely populated areas to improve visibility and strengthen community relationships. This approach aims to foster trust and cooperation between residents and the police, making officers more approachable and responsive to the specific needs of these communities.”

Other highlights from the EFF’s crime fighting portion of its manifesto include:
Racism shall be declared a punishable criminal offence.
The EFF government will introduce a specialized unit to deal with the problem of stock theft in rural and farming areas, as part of its massive drive for rural development.
The EFF government will increase the sentences for rhino poaching, perpetrators of gender-based violence, murders, rapists and anyone who defrauds the state.
The EFF government will ensure that all immigrants shall be registered and have their fingerprints captured by the new Department of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
The EFF government will establish a DNA database for all South Africans to fight crime.
The EFF government will introduce an annual day of joint operation between all law enforcement agencies (South African Police Services, South African National Defence Force, Intelligence and Immigration officers) to visit houses and conduct searches for illegal firearms.

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The manifesto has it that John Steenhuisen’s party, if it gains a majority, will halve the rate of violent crime, which sees approximately 75 South Africans murdered each day and South Africa lose 10% of its annual gross domestic product.

“South Africans live in fear of crime because they have no reason to believe that the SAPS will protect them,” the DA says in its manifesto. “Due to a lack of trust and confidence in the SAPS and justice system, there is chronic underreporting of crime…A lack of specialised policing and a loss of skills in SAPS has resulted in an increase in gangsterism and the use of drugs as gangs have evolved into criminal empires running complex operations involving drug trafficking, robbery, money laundering, racketeering, extortion, human trafficking, and prostitution. In rural areas, the remoteness and greater distances between properties compared to urban areas make visible policing almost impossible, resulting in an escalation in farm attacks and farm murders.”

Before presenting its solutions, the DA highlighted that the SAPS suffers from severe capacity constraints as evidenced by a reduction in its staff complement from 199 345 in 2011/12 to only 182 126 in 2021/22. “There has also been a loss of specialists, a lack of evidence-based policing and a failure to utilise modern technology or keep abreast of international trends in crime-fighting. The national government has failed to meaningfully recognise and integrate private security services, neighbourhood watches and other private role players in enhancing safety and security and has instead treated them as threats.”

The DA also pointed to institutional and capacity issues in the criminal justice system, including severe court backlogs, and facilities being poorly maintained. “The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) capacity has been significantly eroded, the Hawks lack sufficient independence or capacity, and the State Security Agency (SSA) has been heavily factionalised and misused for political and personal interests.”

To “rescue South Africans from crime, corruption and lawlessness,” the DA aims to strengthen the criminal justice system, and decentralise the police service and ensure more local accountability. “This will involve devolving specific policing management and governance functions to competent local and provincial government while maintaining a national police force. By allowing capable provincial and metro governments to manage their own SAPS forces, they can tailor policies and policing plans that are more appropriate to their specific needs, bringing security and safety closer to the communities they serve.”

Other activities towards combatting crime and improving South Africa’s criminal justice system will include moving towards evidence-based policing; identifying crime hotspots; reducing bloated senior SAPS management; establishing coordinated partnerships with private security, neighbourhood watches, and other private role-players in safety and security through a whole-of-society approach; protecting whistle-blowers; conducting SAPS lifestyle audits; strengthening the forensic capacity of the SAPS;and taking cybercrime seriously, using sophisticated technology such as data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and digital forensics to protect the state and the South African public against cybercrime.

The fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) will be a priority of a DA government, with various interventions to combat the scourge, ranging from police training to victim support.

To avoid a repeat of the July 2021 unrest, the DA proposes implementing the Panel of Experts Report recommendations into the July 2021 Unrest by establishing a dedicated training facility for public order policing (POP) officers, conducting periodic assessments and properly equipping officers to deal with potentially fatal injuries. A “use of force” policy will be adopted, specifically for the SAPS POP units, limiting lethal force to situations with no reasonable alternative.

The DA is for responsible firearm ownership and cracking down on the smuggling of firearms by the SAPS to gangsters and criminals.

To address rural crime, including farm attacks, the DA proposes creating rural safety units together with Rural Community Policing Units; creating rural radio networks including the use of CCTV and drones; adequately capacitating anti-stock-theft units; and introducing legislation to criminalise and prevent orchestrated land invasions.

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The ANC over the next five years promises to Intensify the war on crime and make communities safe. This includes action against drugs, organised crime, gender-based violence and femicide, infrastructure theft and vandalism, extortion and gangsterism.

To keep homes and streets safe and protect the borders, the ANC says it will take a comprehensive approach to fighting crime through the Integrated Violence and Crime Prevention Strategy; modernise policing with more frontline police officers; resource Community Policing Forums; develop capabilities to combat cybercrime, essential infrastructure crimes, illegal firearms, gang violence, crime syndicates, human and drug trafficking, and corruption; provide additional capacity to the Hawks to tackle organised crime; implement a data-driven approach to target violent crime hotspots; strengthen the justice system; act against extortion and violence in the construction sector by strengthening the SAPS Economic Infrastructure Task Teams; tackle priority crimes like gang violence and cash-in-transit heists through specialised police units; and strengthen anti-money laundering efforts and secure South Africa’s removal from the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

Illegal immigration

To address the illegal immigration problem, the ANC says it will complete the overhaul of South Africa’s immigration policy and systems “including the Citizenship Act, Refugees Act and Immigration Act, towards a single law dealing with citizenship, immigration and refugees to prevent contradictions and meet the new challenges facing South Africa.”

The ruling party also aims to locate refugee and asylum centres close to border posts, regulate the employment of foreign workers in line with the National Labour Migration Policy, to give preference to South African job-seekers and act against employment and exploitation of undocumented persons; simplify visa applications; and use technology to modernise systems to prevent fraud and bogus documents.

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The Provincial Commissioners have on Tuesday sent off the last contingents of police officers who will further increase the foot soldiers who are already on the ground to create a safe and secure environment for the 2024 elections on Wednesday.

In the Eastern Cape, SAPS Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Zolani Xawuka, and his management addressed members during a parade which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, ahead of deployment for elections duties.

“All members are operationally ready to apply fundamental policing principles, guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,” Xawuka said.

Xakuwa reminded the members on parade of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity and to “do so within the confines of the laws of the country”.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, gave his marching orders during a parade ahead of the deployment of the members to various parts of the province for the elections.

In the North West, police members have been deployed at the voting stations to ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and in a free and safe environment for voters, IEC officials, as well as role-players and the general public.

In the Free State, SAPS Mangaung District Teams are maintaining heightened police visibility at the Independent Electoral Commission’s warehouse to ensure safety and security during the transporting and delivery of voting materials to different places in the Mangaung area.

Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, visited Bainsvlei Clinic to cast her special vote as well as interact with SAPS operational members who are posted at the voting station to ensure safety during the elections.

Briefing the media on the state of readiness on Monday, the SAPS Provincial Commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe and the Provincial Electoral Officer, Nkaro Mateta, reassured citizens that the Electoral Commission and law enforcement agencies in the province are ready to ensure free and peaceful elections.

The police members at the various parades were reminded of their responsibility and obligation to execute their mandate professionally, impartially and with integrity, and to do so within the confines of the laws of the country.

Giving the marching orders during the sending off parade in Harrismith of police officers who have been deployed to ensure safety and security at KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces on Tuesday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola emphasised the maintenance of public order.

“There can never be disorder because you must be there to maintain public order and prevent crime… and do all other what is required by the Constitution. Go and assist your colleagues, make sure the election goes smooth and wherever you are, make sure you create a peaceful situation to ensure that people go to vote in a very peaceful and stable environment, and allow people to do what they are supposed to do,” Masemola told the police.

Hadebe said one of the biggest threats at the moment is fake news. “We strongly condemn the spreading of fake news, unverified information, rumours and threats, as this seeks to cause panic and confusion, and in some instances, incite violence,” Hadebe said.

“Those who are found to be sharing inflammatory messages and inciting violence will be charged accordingly. We, therefore, urge prompt reporting of these incidents to ensure that law enforcement deals with such issues.

Hadebe said through the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJoints), which is led by the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force and the State Security Agency, they will continue to scan the election activities and taking a bird’s eye view of all the voting stations in Limpopo.

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In its latest report, titled The Politics of Murder, the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) found an average of at least one political hit every two weeks between January and April this year.

the killings are brutal, often carried out by hitmen with little regard for bystanders and frequently targeting high-profile individuals. The killings have also become more brazen, with victims targeted at public gatherings, often in front of children and community members

GI-TOC

In the report, GI-TOC analysts Chwayita Thobela and Rumbi Matamba said there were always spikes in political assassinations during election years, particularly in long-contested provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal.

“The 2024 elections, the sixth national election in the country’s 30 years of democracy, have been earmarked as a potential watershed moment, with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) facing challenges in securing its National Assembly majority. Recent changes in what has long been a stagnant political landscape include a rise in coalition governments and the formation of several new political parties, most significantly the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, whose campaigning has been led by former president Jacob Zuma.”

“The MK party already holds substantial support in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, a former ANC stronghold, where it threatens to dilute ANC votes. The ANC’s waning influence, on the back of high unemployment and crime rates, cost of living increases and widespread government corruption, including unaddressed state capture revelations, means that the 2024 elections could see several political power shifts.”

GI-TOC said the breakdown of hits by province follows the pattern of previous years, with the highest number of political assassinations in 2023 recorded in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Significantly fewer cases were recorded in Gauteng (two), the Eastern Cape (two), Limpopo (one), Mpumalanga (three) and the Western Cape (four). The motives behind these killings in KwaZulu-Natal and elsewhere vary, but include eliminating political rivals, intimidating voters, removing competitors for local government contracts, targeting municipal workers responsible for awarding these contracts, and silencing those who speak out against corruption, particularly in local government.”

While around 64 elections are happening around the world in 2024, South Africa’s elections stand out for “the very real threat of violence that they bring,  a cumulation of the influence of criminal networks and state-embedded actors in driving criminality.”

“Indeed, targeted killings in South Africa are interconnected with criminal networks and state-embedded actors, with flare-ups in violence from competition in the minibus taxi industry, gang dynamics and electoral disputes.”

“Targeted killings affect who can contest in municipal elections, lead to increased violence in gang-afflicted communities, influence transparency and accountability in state-owned enterprises, and affect the provision of essential services such as water, electricity and sanitation. Targeted killings are a manifestation of the extent of criminal governance in South Africa, with criminals filling the gaps left by the state, with particularly devastating consequences for a relatively young democracy,” the report said.

Thobela and Matamba said violence not only violates political and civil rights but also undermines democracy by allowing criminal elements to influence or control government functions.

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