Thousands of police deployed for polls

By Khanyisa Tabata
14 May 2011

National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele says police won’t hesitate to act against anyone who tries to disrupt next week’s local government elections.

Cele says 186 people have already been arrested nationally for elections-related crimes.

Fifty-thousand police members will be deployed from Tuesday to Thursday to ensure a peaceful poll. Those on leave have been recalled for duty.

Cele says they know of protest plans in parts of the country, depending on the results of the election, but would not give details on which areas are regarded as problematic.

Meanwhile, Free State police are monitoring the volatile Meqheleng township in Ficksburg after a protest had to be broken up with the use of rubber bullets yesterday

The township, where protestor Andries Tatane was killed a month ago, erupted yesterday after residents had met with provincial officials regarding an investigation into corruption.

Three directors and a manager from the Setsoto municipality are on special leave pending the result of the investigation. But residents reportedly also want Ficksburg mayor Mbothoma Maduna suspended.

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