TSHWANE – Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been ordered to be on standby following the riots that have been raging in Tshwane since Sunday night. Although some policemen from the Lowveld have travelled to Gauteng to assist their colleagues in combatting the riots, spokesmen deny that a general announcement has forced SAPS members countrywide to do so.
In a media statement issued today, the SAPS condemned the criminality involved in the protests all over the city – read more on the protests here.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lt General Deliwe De Lange said anyone found committing crime will be arrested and that cases of murder, malicious damage to property and intimidation had already been opened.
“A joint operation centre was established from where the policing of affected areas will be managed,” the statement read. The centre will consist of role players from all law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
It was also confirmed that “all police members – including those who are on rest days – have been mobilised and will assist with policing in these areas.”
According to national police spokesman Maj Gen Vuyisile Ngesi, reports that policemen from Mpumalanga and Limpopo were ordered to be on standby and may possibly be ordered to travel to Tshwane to assist in combatting the riots, are untrue. “Why would someone tell you that?” he asked on enquiry. “Maybe they are just looking for a reason to come to Pretoria,” he reasoned.
Ngesi said that the ministers of justice, police and defence were compiling a press release on how the riots would be handled, which press release was set to be published by 17:00 yesterday. It has still not been received
