Cape Town - South Africans living and working in Pretoria should continue with business as usual as government was “responding adequately to the situation”.
That was the word from cabinet ministers forming part of government’s justice, crime prevention and security (JCPS) cluster who briefed journalists in Pretoria on the violence that has gripped the capital city since Sunday’s announcement that former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza was the ruling African National Congress mayoral candidate for Tshwane in the upcoming local government elections.
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“Government calls for calm and for people to continue with their normal businesses as government is responding adequately to the situation,” said JCPS chairwoman, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula .
Read: #TshwaneUnrest - PICS
While condemning the violence which has seen roads closed, businesses looted, and at least 19 buses burnt by protesters, Mapisa-Nqakula said visible policing patrols had been bolstered with more officers being deployed.
Read: IFP calls for action against Tshwane protesters
Mapisa-Nqakula described the scenes which had played out on the streets of various areas of Pretoria as the work of “hooligans”, “anarchists”, and “gangsters” who were hell bent on hijacking protests of residents with “maybe a legitimate concern”.
“We have noted the criminal elements who have taken advantage of the situation by disrupting the socio-economic activities which has led to the closure of certain businesses. No public space will be turned into a no-go area,” she said.
“Violence, damage to property and infrastructure and infringing on others’ rights and free movement including incitement of others to commit these type of offences will not be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. Those who make themselves guilty of such acts will face the full might of the law.”
Special courts would be set aside to prosecute those guilty of inciting violence and destroying property, and the Hawks would assist with investigations.
“Approximately 20 cases are under investigation and so far some arrests have been made and some are in court,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.
Asked about possible army intervention, the minister said the South African National Defence force was the “last line of defence”, adding that government would first exhaust the capacity of law enforcement agencies, more specifically the SA Police Service.
“The situation is assessed on a daily basis. Every morning, every evening, the natjoints [national joint operations and intelligence structure] will come together and asses developments in the country and depending on the outcome of that assessment and on the report they will present to the structures that be, then a decision will be taken whether to deploy the SANDF or not.”
State Security Minister David Mahlobo condemned the distribution of false information on social media and via sms messages. This included a widely distributed message that warns residents of “no go zones” in Pretoria central, that all trains have been suspended in and around Tshwane, and which tells people they should evacuate buildings.
“The information circulated is actually misinformation intended to cause panic and cause havoc,” said Mahlobo.
“South African citizens should know there is a government. If there is going to be any official information about the threats that citizens are going to experience, it is only the South African government that has a responsibility for anyone within our borders our territory. We’ll be able to communicate that particular message.”
Gauteng Premier David Makhura said he had a sleepless night on Monday trying to defuse the situation.
While also appealing for calm, Makhura took time to apologise to Pretoria residents who were inconvenienced after some of the offices of the Tshwane metro were closed early to allow employees who felt threatened and intimidated to go home.
“I join the mayor’s statement in apologising to those residents who went to the City’s offices and found the offices were closed. I want to apologise to people who could not get to work this morning because they woke up to find the roads were blocked from Hammanskraal, Mamelodi as well as Atteridgeville.”
Makhura said the provincial government would be working closely with the City and national government to “ensure normality”. He also said he would ensure action was taken against perpetrators of violence “no matter which party they belonged to”.
ANA