The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka have outlined safety measures ahead of the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) national shutdown on Monday and confirmed that they have received no notice of said shutdown.
Mkhwanazi says police are on standby and they will focus on hotspots.
KZN’s readiness for possible protest action on Monday
“We know what happened previously and we heard of the threats about Phoenix. We are waiting to see what those that are threatening to do something in Phoenix, what is it they intend to do as they intend to do something as they said. We are combat-ready, we are going to be on their case. The good thing is that they made pronouncements on national TV so any incident that happens in Phoenix, we will use such evidence that we have at our disposal to add on the charges because whatever that is going to happen in Phoenix therefore any blood that is going to be lost, any disruption that is going to happen in Phoenix …the case is going to be levelled against those that are commanding those people to do those actions,” he says.
Hlomuka adds that any South African citizen has a legal right to protest without permission, but they need to give notice to law enforcement in order to do so.
He elaborates, “…They can gather, it doesn’t matter which party it is, they can gather wherever they want to gather but they must give notice as KZN law enforcement. We have not received any notice; there is no citizen or whatever that is going to be allowed to break the law. So if people want to drive on the streets, if they want to march from point A to point B, they have to give notice. If they did not give a notice most likely the law enforcement will stop them.”
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged the police to ensure that there is no repeat of the 2021 July unrest during the planned national shutdown on Monday.
[FULL STEAM] @SAPoliceService top brass are at this hour inspecting police operations, leading up to the Monday #NationalShutdown Minister Cele days #SAPS will be out in full force on the ground and in the air to enforce the law and ensure the protest is peaceful. pic.twitter.com/UmxdgvsNJN
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 17, 2023
He was addressing police and other law enforcement personnel in Johannesburg.
Cele implored the police to protect any South African who wants to go to work.
He’s called on the SAPS to ensure that no one blocks the roads and that there is no looting of shops and that no business owners are intimidated and forced into closing their businesses on that day.
[MUST WATCH] A clear message from @SAPoliceService to everyone in 🇿🇦 #TotalShutdown #MoreBootsOnTheGround pic.twitter.com/J4tM5FQfUm
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) March 17, 2023
Cele demanded that all police vans be on standby and that those who break the law be sent to jail.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola urged the men and women in blue to exercise restraint, however, instructed them to use minimum force in restoring order if protestors get out of line.
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola addressing a multidisciplinary parade ahead of the planned protest on Monday. A reminder that the Natjoints will brief the nation on safety and security related matters this evening at 18:00. pic.twitter.com/GmSQgtLTU8
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) March 17, 2023
