Officials and civic groups commit to protecting voting access after migration talks

Government officials and civic formations have agreed to work together against intimidation and efforts to disrupt voting, following talks on Sunday ahead of South Africa’s local government elections.

The Technical Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration disclosed the commitments in a statement on Monday, 2 November, as special voting began. The meeting brought together representatives of Hlangana Mzansi, Bhinca Nation, led by Ngizwe Mchunu, and Gauteng IziNduna.

According to the committee’s account, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Home Affairs Director-General Livhuwani Tommy Makhode stressed that people must be allowed to exercise their constitutional right to vote. Mchunu also said nobody had the right to prevent them from doing so.

Cooperation against disruption

The parties committed to countering criminal elements seeking to use legitimate community protests for unlawful or violent activity. They also agreed to continue engaging on community safety and to promote peaceful civic participation and respect for the law.

The committee undertook to give focused attention to concerns raised by the delegation and improve coordination among law-enforcement and security agencies. Those discussions covered irregular migration, illegal firearms and broader crime and violence concerns.

These are commitments reported after the meeting, not evidence that intimidation or other security risks have been eliminated.

Existing migration plan reaffirmed

Government reiterated its existing Five-Point Plan rather than announcing a replacement migration policy. The talks follow earlier government engagement with community organisations; the latest statement adds specific undertakings on voting access and peaceful participation.

Special voting runs on 2 and 3 November, ahead of general voting on Wednesday, 4 November.