JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Africa said on Friday that it will hold the next year's presidential elections peacefully.

    Speaking to media at the Intelligence Services Day in memory of National Intelligence officials who have died in the past year, South African Intelligence Minister Siyabonga Cwele said while "vibrant political debate" is expected, the security sector is prepared.

    "The whole security establishment of the government... we are working very hard in ensuring that we have peaceful and free elections next year," Cwele promised.

    "There is nothing to suggest otherwise," he said, adding that South Africa has had a good track record in managing to secure elections "even in a difficult political past".

    The minister said recent political changes in the country have generated international interests as parties are prepared for the national and provincial elections.

    "Our focus, as in the past elections, is to ensure that we truthfully forewarn policy-makers of any elements that would want to threaten and undermine national stability," the minister said.

    South Africa will hold presidential elections early next year.