SAPS identifies 331 high-risk voting stations ahead of 2026 municipal polls
The South African Police Service said it is operationally ready to secure the polls, but its own risk assessments have flagged potential flashpoints linked to service delivery protests, community unrest and other security incidents.
Dimakatso Leshoro
FILE: SAPS members. Picture: © ruramos/123rf.com
© ruramos/123rf.com
With just a few days to go before the 2026 local government elections, police have identified 331 high-risk voting stations across the country, and more than half of them are said to be in KwaZulu-Natal.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said it is operationally ready to secure the polls, but its own risk assessments have flagged potential flashpoints linked to service delivery protests, community unrest and other security incidents.
KwaZulu-Natal accounts for 165 of the high-risk voting stations, with 124 of these in eThekwini alone.
Gauteng has the second-highest number, with 119, which include 75 in Johannesburg, 23 in Ekurhuleni and 14 in Tshwane.
The Western Cape has 33 high-risk stations, all in Cape Town, while Mpumalanga has 11.
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola said the police have spent several months preparing for the upcoming elections through conducting simulation exercises, mobilising resources and assessing provincial readiness.
Masemola said the court application by the police minister is not intended to take away people's rights to demonstrate.