Killings ahead of poll ‘cause for concern’

THE recent “political” killings in Kwazulu-natal and Gauteng amid the rising election fever was a cause for concern to the SAPS, which has identified some parts of the two provinces as the hotspots ahead of the November 1 municipal polls.

Police Minister Bheki Cele raised the alarm during the crime-busting operation conducted in Mamelodi.

However, he said the prevalent election temperature was not worse off compared to the previous election periods in 2011 and 2016.

About six people have been killed in KZN in relation to the upcoming election. Two were murdered in the Western Cape and Tshwane lost an ANC councillor.

“I must say without fear of contradiction that the temperature of elections is not worse or as bad as it has been in 2016 and 2011, especially in KZN”.

Cele said that although the police responded to the killings, it didn’t mean they would “rest on their laurels”.

Other problematic provinces were the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. “We know that there are some upheavals going on in Mpumalanga,” Cele said.