Election observers need to keep eye on cops at polls – expert
Crime monitor Mary de Haas says while keeping an eye on the voting process on election day, observers should also have another one trained on the police.
"Got to be very smart, on the ball and make sure that the police are doing their jobs properly, that they are acting impartially. If there is any threat or intimidation at or around the polling station, that is where the observers have got to make their presence really well known."
In KZN, around 17,000 officers and other law enforcers are being deployed across the province to keep the election safe before, during, and after voting day.
The provincial security cluster this week said areas of concern, like KwaNongoma, were getting special attention.
READ: IFP wants to dissolve eThekwini Municipality if elected in KZN
De Haas says many factors could comprise the security and safety of elections.
She suggests one precaution authorities could take is to swap local police officers with those from other stations to disaffiliate them from local politics.
"Police in certain areas are very close to politicians in the areas because the politicians often have representatives on community police forums. I am thinking of a lot of possible impediments. So much depends on how well the police are managed."
Earlier this week, the KZN Community Safety MEC said there was stability in the province despite the fierce contesting of next week's polls.
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