Everson Luhanga
With threats of a second wave of unrest mounting over the weekend, Gauteng police have joined forces with private security to take on #FreeJacobZuma marchers.
Police and military officials visited Gauteng’s hotspots at which #FreeJacobZuma marches were likely to gather.
On Monday, there was a heavy police and military presence at Maponya Mall and Bara Taxi rank in Soweto, as well as in Alexandra, Katlehong and Tshwane.
“The message is clear, police will not allow a similar situation that the country saw last month when shops were looted and destroyed,” said Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Gauteng provincial police commissioner.
Mawela said the law enforcement has partnered with private security firms, taxi associations, community policing forums, and community-based organisations to prevent further widespread civil unrest.
Police were acting on messages on social media, he said, “whether it is fake news or there are people planning this so-called #NationalShutdown.”
He warned residents not to behave irresponsibly, vowing that the police will not tolerate the destruction of state facilities.
Alexandra community policing forum chairman Chris Mabunda told Scrolla.Africa that the people of Alexandra will not allow anyone to put them through what they experienced in July.
“The community is unified and they are fighting and we will fight any form of violence in the township,”said Mabunda..
Simon Alaska Sekhitla, spokesperson for 30 Strong Voices of Alex, a community-based organisation, said they will be working with law enforcement to educate people about the dangers of involving themselves in illegal marches.
“We will work with other stakeholders to prevent the repeat of last month’s events that saw many businesses destroyed,” said Sekhitla.
Emmanuel Maleka, national spokesperson of the Top Six Taxi Industry, said that taxi associations will work closely with law enforcement.
“We are behind the forces and we will protect our infrastructures. The protest affects our businesses as there are no movements of the people during riots,” said Maleka.
Maleka said the taxi industry is behind the government in protecting malls and businesses.
