Police remain on high alert as IEC processes election results

Law enforcement agencies remain on high alert as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) continues to count, reconcile, verify and capture results from the 2026 Local Government Elections held on November 4.

National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) co-chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said security operations would remain in place until the electoral process was formally concluded.

Speaking during a media briefing on November 5, Mosikili said the security cluster remained focused on protecting voting materials, securing results operations and safeguarding the integrity of the results management process.

“Our operational responsibility continues, with particular emphasis on protecting voting materials, securing results operations and safeguarding the integrity of the results management process,” she said.

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Mosikili acknowledged the challenges and incidents encountered during the election period but said the overall operational response demonstrated the security cluster’s preparedness, discipline and determination.

Reflecting on voting day, she said co-ordinated deployments and decisive interventions helped maintain a largely conducive environment, with minimal disruptions.

Law enforcement agencies adopted an intelligence-led, risk-informed approach, paying particular attention to identified hotspots in KZN, the Western Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

Provincial commissioners, national directors-general and other senior officials provided strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure identified risks were effectively managed.

Mosikili said eligible voters were able to exercise their democratic rights while security forces maintained law and order, responded to reported incidents and addressed emerging threats across all provinces.

She added that planned marches and protests did not materialise, and that there were no widespread disruptions that compromised the electoral process.

Where operational, logistical and service delivery-related challenges emerged at certain voting stations, law enforcement agencies intervened to stabilise the environment and allow voting to continue.

Mosikili said the response demonstrated the security cluster’s operational preparedness, institutional coordination and commitment to protecting the country’s democratic processes.

She reiterated that NATJOINTS would maintain its security posture until the 2026 Local Government Elections process was formally concluded.

Meanwhile, the IEC continues to capture and verify election results.

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