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DRC embassy shuts down after violent protests
A member of the diplomatic policing unit was disarmed by protesters during this incident and his firearm was stolen.
An illegal protest at the Democratic Republic of the Congo embassy in Pretoria turned violent on Wednesday, forcing the offices to close.
About 250 Congolese nationals arrived at the embassy in buses demanding that Congo president Joseph Kabila step down after his mandate expired.
Protesters threw stones at the embassy building and at members of the SAPS while police fired rubber bullets in retaliation.
“Windows and the front gate of the embassy were damaged as protesters attempted to gain entry to the embassy,” said the SAPS in a statement.
A member of the diplomatic policing unit was disarmed by protesters and his firearm was stolen.
The SAPS said they recovered the stolen police firearm thanks to their #BackToBasics operation.
“At about 15:00, at a routine roadblock in Yeoville, police stopped a vehicle with a driver and no passengers.”
“They discovered a firearm and on testing it, discovered it had been stolen earlier from a police officer at the DRC embassy. The man was taken into custody.”
SAPS members, including members of the public order police, dispersed the crowd and nine people were arrested on various charges, including malicious damage to property and public violence.
SAPS’s acting national commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane condemned the violence displayed at the embassy.”As the SAPS, we have always respected the right to peaceful protests, but such protests must be approved by authorities beforehand and the organisers must acknowledge that responsibilities accompany rights,” said Phahlane.”This protest was not authorised and the crowd, which gathered unlawfully, attempted to gain access to the embassy with the apparent intention of setting it alight.”
Phahlane said the crowd was violent, caused damage to property, and attempted to besiege an embassy under SAPS protection.
“This can never be condoned and the SAPS roundly condemns such conduct.”Phahlane congratulated the officers who recovered the stolen firearm within hours and issued an immediate arrest.”SAPS members will remain on duty and urge all in South African citizens and visitors to respect the laws of this country.”
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