Security and traffic plans have been beefed up in and around Bloemfontein ahead of a mass rally by the ruling party and the official launch of its breakaway Cope at the weekend.

Police say they are checking for any possible political threats and are working on an intensive operational plan to ensure the safety of visitors as well as tourists during this time.

"We have an operational plan in place and we are checking on any possible threats," provincial police spokesman Superintendent Motantsi Makhele said on Tuesday.

"As the police, we cannot rule out the possibility of violence at such gatherings."

He said a fleet of officers and traffic officials would be deployed at strategic points at both events and that "security would be extremely tight".

Tourism authorities, meanwhile, confirmed that hotels and lodges in and around Bloemfontein had been fully booked well in advance.

"But this is not just the festive season, it's because of the political events in the area," a tourism official said.

Mangaung municipality spokesman Qondile Khedama told Sapa the tourism unit would monitor the movement of tourists in the area.

He said that although huge volumes of people were expected in the area, crime was not an issue.

"These are two huge events but we don't foresee any violence on this day because both events are taking place far apart from each other. The department of safety and security has also promised a crime-free season," he said.