Rustenberg - Security will be tight at Sun City outside Rustenburg during the South African Music Awards (Samas), North West police said on Friday.
“Taking into consideration the current protest situation in Ledig village and the planned South African Music Awards (Samas) that will be taking place on Sunday, the police are geared towards ensuring security of all the attendees,” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
“The security and policing in and around the venue will be maintained in terms of Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 [Act NO.2 of 2010]. This is done to ensure that all participants and any other person who finds him or herself in the vicinity of the event venue and the village are safe.”
He said intensive policing continued at Ledig following community protest that erupted on Saturday. “We would like to issue a stern
warning once more to the communities around Ledig and Sun City that criminal activities will not be tolerated. The police have arrested 30 suspects already following the community protest when it started, and this should also serve as a warning that police will not hesitate to deal with criminals.”
Residents had barricaded roads with tree branches, burning tyres and rocks on Saturday, demanding feedback regarding the alleged misuses of Bakubung Tribal Council funds. A house, a truck and a shop were set alight while four shops belonging to foreign nationals were also looted.
Ngubane said the police would declare zero tolerance on any person who contravenes the National Road Traffic Act. “Drivers should be on high alert, local communities should also not loiter on the road, and no burning of tyres, stones and barricades will be tolerated. Any person seen to be making such illegal attempts will face the full might of the law.”
Zwane said the police would carry out a number of various visible operations prior to and during the event. “All security forces will be on the ground and that includes crime intelligence driven operations.
We urge everyone to cooperate with law enforcement officials such as provincial and municipal traffic, Home Affairs, SA Revenue Services, private security and many others, particularly at roadblocks as well as at the stop and search operations. This is done to ensure the safety and security of all inhabitants of the republic.”
The 21st SA Music Awards ceremony will take place in Sun City on Sunday.