Police denies false information that they are part of Monday’s shutdown
“We will be out in full force to protect and serve our city,” says Van Dyk.
A national shutdown organised by the EFF plans to bring the country to a standstill on March 20 following continuous high levels of load-shedding and will be calling for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, police services across the city have called for calm and cautioned against spreading false information. The various services have said that they are prepared for any eventuality.
SAPS Tshwane district spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan Van Dyk said the district was ready for the day.
“We have operational plans in place for the whole district. There will be police officers supported by several other law enforcement agencies to safeguard Tshwane,” he said.
Van Dyk cautioned residents about spreading false information that could lead to panic.
“Our biggest problem is the false messages doing the rounds on social media platforms that the SAPS is also going on strike and that citizens would be left to fend for themselves.
“We will be out in full force to protect and serve our city,” said Van Dyk.
Hercules CPF issued a statement after residents in the area shared false information about a police strike.
The CPF and the Hercules SAPS said that no police information confirms a police strike on March 17 and that all law enforcement agencies would be on high alert on March 20.
“We can confirm that on March 20, all law enforcement (SAPS, TMPD, CPF, AfriForum, security stakeholders and neighbourhood watches) will be on high alert. Lawlessness and criminality will not be tolerated in Hercules.”
The statement explained that in previous unrest situations, much of the violence and looting was fuelled and exacerbated by false information shared on social media.
Moot SAPS spokesperson Captain Anton Breedt echoed Van Dyk for his policing area.
Breedt noted that local businesses should prepare themselves as the plans for the shutdown were targeted at places of business with threats of looting.
He said that business owners should consider their area and be aware of the areas that were likely to encounter issues, and offered the following tips:
– Don’t confront protesters.
– Be alert of large groupings of people.
– Be in contact with the local security services of the shopping centre for any developments or warnings.
– Discuss an action plan with staff for when any potential situations are reported.
– Ensure that the local police station number is available to staff or call 10111 to report suspicious gatherings.
Gauteng Traffic police also confirmed that the service would be on alert on the day and be on the lookout for any criminal activities.
Spokesperson Sello Maremane said, “we have law enforcement operations geared against any form of criminality”.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) has begun preparing for the day.
Mathe said: “While plans will be in place to ensure law and order, we are urging all people in this country to heed the country’s laws and not engage in acts that will result in them having criminal records.”
Mathe responded to a video of EFF members on the back of a bakkie using a loudspeaker to caution small businesses and factories to close on the day of the shutdown.
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