YNews Elections Build-up | Gauteng police flag 119 voting stations as high-risk ahead of polls

Gauteng police have identified 119 of the province’s 2,836 voting stations as high-risk ahead of Wednesday’s Local Government Elections, with Johannesburg accounting for the largest share at 75 stations.

Ekurhuleni has 23 high-risk voting stations, while Tshwane has 14. A further 368 stations have been classified as medium-risk and 2,345 as low-risk.

Provincial Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, says the risk classifications are based on historical crime patterns, intelligence reports and emerging trends of violence in affected communities.

The heightened security preparations come as Gauteng police report 24 election-related criminal cases and 13 arrests since voter registration began in June.

Mthombeni says the cases include murder, assault and intimidation. Two suspects remain in custody, while 11 have been released on bail.

Briefing the media on Tuesday on the province’s state of readiness, Mthombeni said police were entering the final phase of a four-phase security operation, with deployments set to increase on Election Day.

Mthombeni says additional security resources will be deployed where necessary, with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) forming part of the reserve capacity alongside specialised police units, including highway patrol, the flying squad and Tactical Response Teams.

He says these resources can be activated at short notice to reinforce existing deployments should security threats emerge.

Police will also maintain a high-visibility, 24-hour operational response, supported by public order policing, drones, CCTV surveillance and officers on the ground.

The operation will extend beyond voting, with police prioritising the protection of election materials, counting centres and results announcement venues.

Mthombeni says operational intelligence will continue to guide deployment decisions, while additional police and SANDF personnel remain on standby across the province.

Police have appealed to political parties and their supporters to exercise tolerance and respect the electoral process.

Authorities say their priority is to ensure voters can cast their ballots safely, and that the counting process and announcement of results proceed without intimidation or disruption.

#sapsGP [GAUTENG PROVINCIAL COMMISSSIONER LEADS JOINT AIR SUPPORT DEPLOYMENT FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2026] #LGE2026 #SafetyAndSecurity

Following the media briefing at Arthur Block in Mayfair, the Provincial Commissioner of #SAPS in Gauteng, Lt Gen Tommy Mthombeni addressed the pilots during the joint air support deployment briefing.

Lt Gen Mthombeni was joined by Mr Morné du Toit from Fidelity Specialised Services, Mr Fouché Burgers from Business Against Crime South Africa, Mr Wahl Bartmann from Fidelity Services Group, Mr Yaseen Theba from Vision Tactical, former Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, retired Lt Gen Elias Mawela from Bidvest Security, SAPS management and the pilots.

He reiterated how pleased SAPS Gauteng is to have air support and commitment of private security with business community as they play a critical role in joint aerial policing efforts alongside SAPS helicopters to ensure that elections are peaceful in this province. #PartnershipPolicing #EyeInTheSky #AirWing #SmartPolicing ME

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 3, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe