More than three hundred additional Public Order Police officers have been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to maintain stability in the province following the 2024 National and Provincial Elections a week ago.

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.