SAPS Identifies 331 High-Risk Voting Stations Ahead of 4 November Elections, KZN Leads With 165

• National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced the figures at a state-of-readiness briefing in Durban on 30 October 2026
• KwaZulu-Natal accounts for the largest share of high-risk stations, with eThekwini alone registering 124 of them
• Masemola revealed which specialised police units are on standby and outlined what voters can expect at stations on election day

DURBAN — South African police identified 331 voting stations as high-risk ahead of the municipal elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola revealed the figures during a security readiness briefing in Durban on Friday, 30 October 2026. Identified locations face potential disruption from community protests and security threats.

According to Eyewitness News, KwaZulu-Natal contains 165 high-risk sites, with 124 situated in eThekwini. Gauteng accounts for 119, primarily in Johannesburg, while the Western Cape has 33. Mpumalanga registered 11 stations and the Eastern Cape three. Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and North West reported zero high-risk voting locations.

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Masemola stated that SAPS operational planning incorporates these risk assessments to guide resource distribution. The South African Police Service leads the election security strategy alongside the SANDF, metropolitan police services, intelligence units, and private security providers. Specialized tactical squads will remain on standby to respond to potential emergencies.

SAPS will be accompanying ballots

Security personnel will accompany physical ballots and guard voting centers continuously. Authorities strictly prohibit firearms and dangerous items inside voting station perimeters. Masemola voiced deep concern regarding pre-election political violence, highlighting that political violence has no place in democratic processes.

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime documented 43 killings targeting politicians and ward candidates between January and September 2026. Security deployments will increase starting Monday, 2 November 2026, coinciding with special voting, and will continue throughout the official election period until counting finishes safely.

View a post of SAPS's briefing on X here:

SAPS ready for LGE: Masemola

In a related article, Briefly News reported on Masemola’s pledge to secure South Africa’s 4 November 2026 local government elections, including plans to increase police deployments in areas identified as violence hot spots.

Political killings have already been reported in several provinces, while Masemola’s promise of a safe and fair vote drew mixed reactions from South Africans. Find out why some welcomed the assurance and others questioned whether the election could truly be fair.

Source: Briefly News