Sterkspruit residents appeal for police protection during elections

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The government says residents of Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape have asked for police protection during next week's general election.

This emerged yesterday when several government minister, led by State Security Minister, Siyabonga Cwele, visited Sterkspruit and Molteno to assess the security situation in the towns following ongoing unrest.

Residents, under the banner of a local civic organisation, have been protesting since last year for their own municipality, saying they no longer want to be part of the Senqu Municipality, which incorporates Lady Grey.

In a statement late last night, the Government Communication Information System, said the Ministers committed to the deployment of additional police officials to Sterkspruit and Molteno, and for police to deal decisively with those intimidating people and disrupting service delivery, among other things.

Read the full GCIS statement below:

JUSTICE, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY CLUSTER EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE ELECTIONS HOTSPOTS VISIT- 29 APRIL 2014.
Ministers of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster visited the Eastern Cape (EC) Province as part of government efforts of ensuring peace and stability leading towards elections. The Ministers previously visited KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Provinces in the past few weeks.
The delegation was led by Minister of State Security, Siyabonga Cwele and consisted of Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor, Minister of Correctional Services Sbusiso Ndebele, Minister of Performance, Monitoring and Administration, Collins Chabane, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance Andries Nel and the Provincial MEC for Local Government Mlibo Qhoboshiyane.
The visit kicked off with a briefing on Eastern Cape state of readiness by the Provincial Joint Operations (ProvJoints), Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and various other security agencies on issues currently being dealt with and contingency plans thereof, particular around Sterkspruit and Molteno. These are areas that have been the subject of community protests in the recent past. It is imperative that government puts all measures in place so that individuals exercise their democratic right to vote.
Ministers further listened and engaged with community members who raised concerns such as intimidation by a minority within the community, speedy release of arrested people, and self-appointed community spokespersons who falsely advocate that Sterkspruit community will not vote. Community members told the delegation that they are prepared to vote. They requested protection from police so as to exercise their democratic right to vote.
The Ministers committed to the deployment of additional policemen, strict adherence to the Electoral Act, the implementation of the electoral protocol pertaining to swift finalisation of cases related to elections and for police to deal decisively with those intimidating people and disrupting service delivery. Further community engagements included walk-abouts at a taxi rank and at Molteno.
Government is satisfied that the ProvJoints is ceased with the task of bringing security and stability in the province. The security of each and every individual’s safety is of paramount importance to government. Our democracy allows citizens to raise their concerns however it mustn’t expose others to danger nor distract infrastructure. Members of the public should alert police of any form of intimidation to seek recourse.
ends