The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has told political parties, their supporters and the public to stay away from violence and intimidation. The Local Government Elections take place on Wednesday, 4 November.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the committee said eligible voters should be able to make their choices freely. It said they should vote without fear, threats or intimidation.
“The Committee stresses that no political contest is worth a single life lost and no political difference justifies violence, intimidation or the destruction of community relations,” the statement read.
The committee said political leaders must take responsibility for how their members and supporters behave. It warned that political differences must not put lives, public safety or community relations at risk.
It asked parties to show restraint and to respect opposing views. It said competition between parties should not turn into confrontation. The committee also asked leaders to discourage provocative behaviour and to promote peaceful acceptance of different political choices.
The committee called on the South African Police Service to be more visible and ready during the election period. It asked police to pay special attention to voting stations identified as high risk. It also pointed to areas where tension between political groups could threaten public safety.
The committee said law enforcement agencies must act firmly and fairly against anyone who tries to disrupt the elections through violence, intimidation or other unlawful conduct. It said good coordination between law enforcement, the Electoral Commission and other groups was important. According to the committee, this would help prevent incidents and allow a quick response to threats.
The committee asked residents to reject political violence and to report threats to the relevant authorities. It also asked them not to let political differences divide communities.
It encouraged eligible voters to turn out in large numbers on 4 November. The committee said taking part in local government elections helps shape service delivery, accountability and development in municipalities.
According to the committee, the success of the elections should not be measured only by the results. It said it should also be measured by the safety, dignity and freedom with which people cast their votes.
The Electoral Commission said last month that it had approved a record 2 655 067 special vote applications for these elections. That is 131% more than the 1 147 759 applications approved for the 2021 elections.
The South African Local Government Association, known as SALGA, has also urged every registered voter to make the election a priority. SALGA asked voters to help choose ethical, capable and accountable leaders who will shape the future of local government.
SALGA said communities have a decisive role in building a local government system that responds to people’s needs. It said that responsibility begins with electing leaders who will serve with integrity and put the public first.
Approved special votes will be cast on 2 and 3 November 2026, before Election Day on 4 November 2026.
Source: this article is based on reporting by SAnews.gov.za. Image: GCIS via SAnews.gov.za. 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.