Durban Mayor addresses shutdown rumours as ANC slams use of their logo

As rumours of unrest circulate, Durban city leadership has taken measures to ensure there is no repeat of the scenes witnessed during the July unrest. Meanwhile, the ANC has condemned the use of its banner for posters circulating online.

The eThekwini Mayor, councillor Mxolisi Kaunda has joined KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala to reassure eThekwini residents that law enforcement agencies are on high alert following the threat of a shutdown on Monday, August 23.

Kaunda convened a meeting on August 20, with the leadership of the City and heads of law enforcement agencies to consolidate safety plans

“We want to assure the people of eThekwini that all law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure that people’s lives and properties are protected and safe. We have also activated our community crime fighting structures to work with police and share information timeously if they notice any suspicious activity in their communities,” said Kaunda.

He added that Metro Police are maintaining a strong presence in all areas that have been identified as hotspots.

“We also want to make a call to members of the public to desist from disseminating information that might cause panic and incite violence,” concluded Kaunda.

Spokesperson for the Berea SAPS, Capt Poobalan Naidoo said: “We are working with full strength to avoid any threats. There are a lot of rumours going around and we are policing our complete area to avoid anything.”

Provincial spokesperson for the ANC in KZN, Nhlakanipho Ntombela said posters of the planned shutdown circulating on social media are unlawfully bearing the logo of ANC without any consultation with the organisation.

“The ANCKZN has, in countless times, declared its support for former president Jacob Zuma, and we also respect the rights of individuals to peacefully protest using legitimate channels as inscribed in our democratic constitution, however exercising such right should not infringe on the rights of others or break any laws. People should refrain from using the former president Jacob Zuma as a scapegoat for violence, and we urge law enforcement agencies to act firmly and expeditiously, within the law, against any form of lawlessness, public violence, damage to property and disruption of economic activity,” said Ntombela.

Metro Police did not send their comments at the time this article was published.