Cops to nab those inciting violence
POLLS: NO INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS ONLINE, SAYS CELE Leaders must be cautious when they speak on social media platforms – minister.
Anyone using social media and electronic platforms to send threatening messages, incite violence, or cause harm to others will be charged and dealt with, Police Minister Bheki Cele has warned.
Cele, who presented the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) plan of action for the 2024 elections yesterday, said police would not hesitate to track the person who creates a video or shares a post with the public which contains words, speech or conduct that may encourage others to commit public violence.
“No-one has a right to intimidate and prevent others from exercising their Constitutional right to vote for a party of his or her choice. As the government, we want to issue a warning to anyone with intentions to disrupt the elections that the law enforcement officers will deal with them decisively and will put them behind bars,” he said.
Cele said because the 2024 elections were said to be the most contested in the history of this country, with 70 political parties contesting these elections, 11 independent candidates and 52 national contestants are 52 and over 14 903 candidates vying for 887 seats in the national and provincial legislatures.
Cele has appealed to political and community leaders to exercise caution when speaking on public platforms. “Do not make inflammatory or threatening statements as you will be breaking the law and may also encourage others to carry out criminal activities,” he said.
“We urge the public to exercise caution before sharing the information with others. Ensure that you double-check the accuracy of the information and be aware of the unintended consequences of your actions.”
Cele said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure has done a thorough threat and crime pattern analysis and has recommended a fit-for-purpose deployment plan that will deal with any potential threats of crime and violence in and around voting stations and national and provincial results centres.
Anyone found guilty of such an offence could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment.
Criminologist Prof Jaco Barkhuizen said the JCPS cluster plan looked good.
“It’s basically a repeat from previous elections, the only difference is due to the July riots, there is an emphasis on incitement and inflammatory statements,” he said.
It showed the cluster took some lessons from the policing and intelligence failure of the July riots into consideration, added Barkhuizen.
Political analyst Piet Croucamp said it was good to have a safety plan in place for the elections but questioned if it would be sufficient to deal with the type of unrest we had in July 2021.
“The organic material for social unrest and violence is always present,” he said, adding election time usually meant more service delivery protests in the run-up to voting day.
“Before the elections, people might respond and react to rumours that the elections might not be that free and fair.”
How people might respond depends on the outcome of the elections, Croucamp said.
“I don’t think we should worry about that; I think the ANC has a fair chance to put in place a coalition to remain in power.” Another political analyst Dr Witness Maluleka said it was pleasing and encouraging to learn that state security will be tight during the election period to prevent disruptions and public violence. “The South African Police Service, in collaboration with other private and public law enforcement agencies are taking responsibility and accountability by offering proactive plans and strategies, with the signs of reactive policing shared to possibly respond to post-election threats stemming from the polls results,” he said.
Maluleka said the importance of the current arrangement remains essential, waiting for efficient implementation plans wait for free and fair elections, thus, witnessing the results will validate the written script, only time will tell. –
Safety plan to deal with any threats at polling stations