Delegates and guests are well protected at the ANC policy conference currently underway at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. Security in and around the venue remains tight with several checks points set up at entrances and exits.
More than 3500 ANC branch delegates from all corners are deliberating the party’s 13 policy documents ahead of the elective conference in Mangaung in December. The conference kicked off yesterday and concludes on Friday.
SAPS, Johannesburg Metro Police, SANDF and the ANC’s private security are clearly visible. Inside the conference venue, police officials can be seen at almost every corner. Delegates have different access privileges compared to the media. Not everyone is allowed into certain areas.
Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo says that security is of high priority at the conference as “our country’s leaders (President and Deputy President) as well as Cabinet ministers are in attendance”.
“We have to ensure that security is not compromised, hence the heavy presence. This deployment complements security in this area and surrounding areas rather than compromise it.”
He adds: “This conference is a dry run for the Mangaung elective conference.” However, deployment and strategy might be on a difference scale.
– By Luvuyo Mdeni
