South African voters have been urged to put their safety first when they go to the polls for the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Voting stations across the country will be open from 07:00 to 21:00, according to The South African. The publication shared a set of safety tips for voters, some of them from security company Fidelity Services Group.
The South African said that while every effort is made to protect voters, people should stay alert before, during and after voting. It said voters should be prepared and aware of their surroundings at all times.
Fidelity Services Group advised voters to secure their homes before they leave. This includes checking that doors, windows and other entry points are locked. The company also said people should switch on their alarm systems and keep valuables out of sight.
The advice comes because queues can be long, and voters may be away from home for many hours.
Voters must bring one of three accepted forms of identification to the voting station. These are a green barcoded South African ID book, a smart ID card, or a valid temporary identity certificate.
People were told to leave expensive items, such as flashy jewellery and costly devices, at home. Phones and wallets should be kept safely stored when they are not being used.
Voters who do not know the area around their voting station were advised to check the route on a map app or in a map book first. Fidelity said another option is to ask a trusted friend or family member to go along.
Drivers were told to park in a safe, well-lit spot at the voting station. They should lock their cars and leave nothing valuable in plain sight.
Anyone who thinks another car is following them after voting should not drive straight home. Instead, they should go to the nearest police station, the publication said.
Voters were also asked not to stay around the voting station after casting their ballots. The South African said this helps protect the privacy of the vote. It said people who linger can make other voters feel uneasy, and it can lead to tempers flaring.
The last tip was to save emergency service numbers on your phone. Voters were also advised to tell a trusted friend or family member where they are going and how to reach them.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.