The KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate says 688 traffic and law-enforcement officers will monitor major routes, traffic hotspots and access to voting stations during the 2026 local government elections.
The KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate says 688 traffic and law-enforcement officers will monitor major routes, traffic hotspots and access to voting stations during the 2026 local government elections.
They will also prevent road rage, traffic disruptions and unauthorised road closures during the local government elections.
The deployment aims to ensure the safe movement of about six million voters and election officials travelling to 5,028 voting stations across the province.
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the deployment took into account the possibility of road rage and traffic-related altercations escalating amid heightened political activities and contestation.
“Our dedicated officers will ensure safe and efficient movement for the six million voters and election officials traveling to 5,028 voting stations,” said Duma.
He said the deployment was also informed by concerns about potential road-related tensions during the elections.
“Critically, we made this deployment, fully aware that road rage and traffic-related altercations during election periods may escalate due to heightened political activities and contestation,” he said.
The officers will be deployed throughout the province under the #NenzaniLaEzweni operation, with a particular focus on traffic management, road safety and maintaining access to voting stations.
Duma warned that unauthorised road closures would not be tolerated.
“Disruption of traffic and road closures by unauthorised individuals will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly,” he said.
The teams will monitor traffic congestion, respond to traffic hotspots and patrol major access routes to ensure motorists can move safely.
They will also work with municipal traffic departments to escort South African Police Service and Electoral Commission officials transporting election materials where necessary.
Duma said traffic law enforcement and road safety would form part of the operation.
Motorists have been urged to exercise patience and reduce speed near voting stations because of expected heavy pedestrian traffic.
“We appeal to motorists to be patient and slow down near voting stations because of expected heavy foot traffic,” Duma said.
He also advised motorists and voters to allow extra travel time to avoid speeding and road crashes.
Among the routes receiving particular attention are the N2 between Pongola and Nyoni, the N2 between KwaDukuza and Umgababa, the N3 between Van Reenen and Bergville, and the N11 between Newcastle and Ladysmith.
Other routes include the R102 between Empangeni and Gingindlovu, the R618 between Mtubatuba and Nongoma, the R33 between Greytown and Msinga, the R74 between Bergville and Winterton, the R56 between Richmond and Kokstad, the R617 between Merrivale and Underberg, the R61 between Margate and Port Edward, and the R602 in Dundee.
Duma said the deployment was intended to ensure a secure voting environment and safe movement for voters and election officials during the electoral period.