Police are beefing up law enforcement at the Glebelands and KwaMashu hostels in KwaZulu-Natal. This comes as political parties on Monday signed a pledge to avoid inflammatory language or actions that can lead to violence in the run-up to August’s municipal elections.At least 62 people have been killed since mid-2014 in and around the Glebelands hostel in a series of attacks and counter-attacks‚ according to activists. Residents last month called for the United Nations Human Rights Commission to intervene in the situation‚ which is also being probed by public protector Thuli Madonsela.One of the most recents victim was activist and African National Congress councillor Zodwa Sibiya‚ who was shot in cold blood at her room at the hostel.On Monday‚ the office of the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport‚ Community Safety and Liaison‚ Willies Mchunu‚ said that he‚ together with the Provincial Commissioner Lt General Mammonye Ngobeni‚ would host a welcoming parade for the additional new police deployment “who have been sent to reinforce peace and security at Glebelands and KwaMashu hostels”.The additional deployments will work with the local police who have been charged with ensuring intensive law enforcement to root out killings and other criminal elements in the two hostels‚ Mchunu’s office said in a statement.“The decision to beef up security in the two hostels is also part of strengthening security in the province ahead of the 2016 Local Government Elections‚” his office added.President Jacob Zuma‚ speaking at the signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct in Midrand‚ Johannesburg‚ said the ANC pledged its full commitment to abide by all the dictates of the code of conduct.In signing the code‚ parties agreed to refrain from using language which provokes violence‚ intimidation of candidates or voters and publishing false information about other candidates or parties‚ among a list of other prohibited practices.Parties can be fined up to R200‚000 for breaching the code.Elphas Mzamo Buthelezi MPL of the Inkatha Freedom Party also pledged his party’s endorsement of the code‚ stating: “The coming Local Government Elections take place in an atmosphere of heightened political awareness. More than in any election since 1994‚ the electorate holds strong convictions on how they will vote. Economic distress and social upheaval has distilled in the minds of our people the need to cast their vote‚ for the sake of securing the future".“The stakes are therefore high in 2016‚ and the political landscape is set to change. In these circumstances‚ we know that the threat of electoral manipulation looms large.“…The IFP condemns any party that would buy people’s vote‚ whether with state resources‚ empty promises or divisive rhetoric. We must ensure that the genuine will of the people is expressed in this election. It is the only hope South Africa has of protecting our hard-won democracy.“The IFP believes that free and fair elections are the foundation of democracy. As much as we have secured the right to vote‚ we must protect the right to have our votes respected‚ without manipulation or intimidation of any kind.”..