The City’s Safety and Security Directorate rolled out an operational plan this week in support of the South African Police Service, to help ensure that the elections progressed smoothly.

This included the establishment of a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) in Goodwood yesterday.  

‘We also stationed 1 456 staff in addition to our regular daily deployment, to ensure that the elections could proceed safely and without interference or intimidation. They had a hand in addressing protests, accidents and challenges relating to long queues at various IEC polling stations.

‘We even made the video feed of our Eye-In-The-Sky available to the IEC JOC. While voting day is over, our part in the election is not. Our enforcement officers are assisting in ensuring the safe transport of ballot boxes to counting stations,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The City’s JOC included representatives from various utility services and other role players. 

‘I want to thank our enforcement and emergency staff, as well as the South African Police Service and others, for their dedication and commitment on what was a very long day. 

‘Thank you to the voters for their patience in spite of the long queues. We are incredibly fortunate that mother nature played along, for the most part, with the colder weather setting in only after the polls closed,’ added Alderman Smith.