The African National Congress said it was prepared for what it expected to be the biggest political rally in South Africa’s history.
An estimated 120 000 people were expected to fill Coca Cola Park and Johannesburg Stadium on Sunday when ANC President Jacob Zuma would speak at the part’s final campaign rally.
Head of the ANC’s election campaign Fikile Mbalula said thousands of marshals and police officers would be on hand across the country.
“We have got overflow after an overflow, should this capacity crowd that will turn out become to the numbers of 200 000 we are ready for that. A stampede is not expected,” he said.
Meanwhile, several streets in Pretoria will be closed on Saturday as the Tshwane Community Safety Department stages a dry run of the presidential inauguration.
The country’s new president will be sworn in at the Union Buildings on 9 May.
The department’s Console Tleane said authorities wanted to be sure they would be able to handle the massive influx of traffic expected.
“On the inauguration day certain streets will have to be closed so we will be practicing and rehearsing what it will entail and how much time is needed,” said Tlane.