National Shutdown: Quiet start in Pretoria CBD as police arrest 41 in Gauteng for public violence
On Monday morning, police and military personnel could be seen at the Union Buildings with no sign of any protestors.
It was a quiet start to the so-called National Shutdown in Pretoria on Monday.
At the Union Buildings, a heavy police and military presence could be seen but there was little to no sign of any protestors. The Tshwane metro announced on social media that the Tshwane Bus Service was operating at minimal capacity.
“30% of our drivers were unable to report for duty due to blockages in their residential areas. “We will not operate at full capacity.
“Commuters are advised to consider other means of travelling should there be no busses on scheduled time in their areas,” said the metro.
Law enforcement officers through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATjoints) have in the last 12 hours arrested 41 protestors across Gauteng province for public violence-related offences.
Since the beginning of the integrated deployments, the Natjoints together with the respective Provjoints have been monitoring the situation closely to prevent and combat any acts of lawlessness and criminality.
According to NATjoints spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Gauteng is leading with the most arrested violent protesters.
“Of the 87 people arrested, 41 were arrested in Gauteng, 29 in North West, 15 in Free State.” “There are also arrests in other provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.”
“We will provide updates will when information becomes available,” he said.
Brigadier Mathe said law enforcement has seized several tyres in the province.
“We have so far confiscated 3 600 tyres in Gauteng.
“These tyres were strategically placed for acts of criminality.”
Mathe said Natjoints re-affirms its commitment to serving and protecting both law-abiding protestors and non-protestors.
“We will not allow and tolerate any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality.
“Anyone found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.
He said law enforcement officers are on high alert.
“We will continue to prevent and combat any acts of disorder, maintain public order, protect the citizens of South Africa and their property as well as uphold and enforce the law.”
ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about the “national shutdown”
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