Johannesburg - Gauteng police are on high alert following an intelligence report that the EFF planned to disrupt Premier David Makhura’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday morning.
The Star was reliably informed that clandestine meetings were held over two days in the Vaal region.
At the meetings, EFF members - some Gauteng MPLs - took a decision to disrupt the proceedings, sources close to the issue said.
Sopa proceedings were due to begin at 7am on Monday, with Makhura expected to deliver his Address three hours later.
Gauteng police spokesman Obed Sibasa on Sunday said the police knew about threats, but declined to reveal the political party involved.
Some streets leading up to the Gauteng legislature and the City Hall were to be closed off between 6am and 3pm, Sibasa said.
He added that police would be monitoring the highways and major routes leading to the city centre and legislature.
The Star’s sources indicated the EFF was planning to ferry supporters to the legislature.
Sibasa said no political party or movement had permission to stage a march or protest outside the legislature.
“As for the threats, we are ready for any eventuality. We are not negotiating law enforcement. Potential lawbreakers will be dealt with decisively. They will be arrested and charged.”
Gauteng EFF spokesman Ntobeng Ntobeng confirmed the meetings and the plan to protest.
The Star