Police management have confirmed that additional Public Order Policing (POP) officers have been deployed to the province on KwaZulu-Natal to assist with post-election operations.
National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, said this is the fourth deployment of additional boots to the province since the beginning of May.
He said, based on intelligence, the situation on the ground is not stable and this is a precautionary measure.
Addressing the officers on Saturday, Masemola said focus will be in the northern parts of KZN.
“You are now sent to join your other colleagues in the province. Your functions are simple; you do what the Constitution requires you to do, and prevent and combat crime.
“You go and maintain public order in that province, especially in the northern parts of the province, under the command of the Provincial Commissioner of that province and you do as you are expected," he said.
The extra police personnel is expected to remain in KZN for at least four weeks.
Speaking to eNCA, Masemola it is important to reinforce the province so the situation can be brought under control.
He said this is the fifth team to be deployed to the province, the first team was sent in lead to the May 29 elections.
Masemola said over 1,500 members from other provinces have been working in KZN as part of police’s election operations.
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