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KZN police commissioner tells officers to act firmly on election day

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi sent off officers in Durban before the local government elections on Wednesday. More than 300 voting stations in KwaZulu-Natal are classified as high risk, meaning crime, violence or other disturbances could occur there.

The parade in Durban on Tuesday included SAPS officers, army members and staff of the road traffic inspectorate. Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner and a Lieutenant General, told them to deal decisively with anyone who tries to disrupt the elections.

He said officers must enforce the electoral act and the other laws of the country without compromise. He also told them not to take political sides.

Mkhwanazi said the police must treat every political party and all members of the public in the same way.

Key facts

Who
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi (KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner (Lieutenant General)); South African Police Service (police service whose officers paraded in Durban)
What
At an official send-off of police personnel deployed across KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the elections on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi urged officers to refrain from taking political sides and said law enforcement must serve all political parties and members of the public equally.
When
3 November 2026
Where
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
Status
Reported

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