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| Picture: CocT |
Law enforcement agencies were mobilized in various areas, however public transportation, including taxis, continued to function regularly as the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) remained committed to not participating in the EFF's mass action.
According to the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure
The Natjoints arrested more than 550 protesters for amongst others public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft and attempted looting. Of those arrested, Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 149. The Northern Cape recorded the second highest number with 95 arrests. The Eastern Cape also saw 80 protesters arrested, followed by Free State with 64 arrests. The number of tyres that were confiscated throughout the country remains at 24,300. These were tyres that were strategically placed for acts of criminality.
Amid the Nationwide shut down, the national police spokesperson, Brig Athlenda Mathe, declared:
The NatJoints will not allow any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality. Anyone found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly. Law enforcement officers are on high alert and will continue to prevent and combat any acts of criminality, maintain public order, protect the inhabitants of South Africa and their property, as well as uphold and enforce the law
The secondary support role of the South African National Defence Force in assisting the work of the police by protecting critical infrastructure such as ports of entry, toll roads and harbours has also yielded positive results. The role of private security in the sharing of resources and as a force multiplier on the ground also played a major role in ensuring that law enforcement visibility is heightened.”
Mathe also complimented community police forums, neighborhood watch organizations, and other community groups that assisted law enforcement.
The transport sector, especially the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and National Taxi Alliance (NTI) are commended. The Natjoints takes this opportunity to appreciate the protest that proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner in Pretoria. In the rest of the country, those who were found to be contravening the law were dealt with accordingly, within the ambit of the law.
In another report, the freedom activists gathered through Sandton, Johannesburg, in large numbers. Party leader Julius Malema hinted that support would have been powerful, and criticized transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga of thwarting the party's plans to send demonstrators to Pretoria by bus. On Monday, he informed demonstrators that R1 million had been spent to charter buses to transport EFF members to Tshwane, but bus contractors had backed out at the last minute.
There were a few occurrences in Cape Town overnight, but other from minor traffic delays, no significant events were recorded in the morning, according to mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. He stated that security was deployed around the city and that everything was working nicely.
Nonetheless, the answer to whether the national shutdown was a success varied depending on whether the individual was a participant, a bystander, a worker, or someone who chose to take time off and enjoy a long weekend.
