President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3 474 members of the SA National Defense Force (SANDF) to work alongside police officers to maintain law and order during the national shutdown of the EFF on Monday.
Parliament said on Sunday, the president informed speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and provincial National Council chairman Amos Masondo about the deployment of the SANDF to fight crime and maintain law and order during the shutdown.
Parliamentary Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the deployment is in line with Section 201(2) (a) of the South African Constitution of 1996 and Section 19 of the Defense Act 2002 and will pay taxes totaling R166 562 058.
Operation Prosper
The deployment was carried out in Operation Prosper.
“The president’s letter will be brought to the attention of members of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces through the official papers of Parliament, Announcements, Tables and Committee Reports (ATC),” he said.
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This comes after the Western Cape police announced that they have had at least seven days of intense planning meetings in anticipation of the nationwide shutdown planned by the EFF.
According to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, integrated law enforcement agencies under the auspices of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure are on high alert.
He said this would be done with strategic and tactical deployments ready for any eventuality across the province.
strong force
Potelwa said the integrated force comprising members of the SANDF, various Saps units, the metro police with law enforcement officers from various municipalities, the traffic service and a contingent of private security officers are operationally ready with deployment scheduled for a specified time in predetermined location.
“As part of the… operational plan, police officers on foot, on horseback, in vehicles and motorcycles with air support in strategic positions ready to respond quickly and in accordance with the occurrence of law violations. The deployment will be enhanced using the CCTV camera system (closed circuit television ) and other advanced technologies,” he said.
Potelwa asked the organizers and participants of the planned closure to respect the rule of law because officials will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who break the law and violate the rights of others.
Special detective
He said a special contingent of detectives would be on hand to investigate the reported cases.
“Social media users are warned not to post and distribute inflammatory content that includes videos and messages that seek violence and spread lies. Law enforcement officials will without hesitation invoke the relevant laws (Section 14 of the Cybercrime Act and Section 18H Films and Publications Act) in relation to inappropriate social media posts,” said Potelwa.
He said that to implement the plan, members of the community police forum (CPF), with watches and neighborhood patrols, will increase the force deployed in the field.
Respect the law or else…
Potelwa appealed to community leaders to encourage members of the community not to be mobilized to engage in illegal activities.
He urged community members to be active citizens and work with law enforcement agencies to report wrongdoing and criminality.
Potelwa said planning and situational assessment meetings with all role players will continue on a regular basis for an integrated and coordinated response to the pending protest action.
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He said the integrated law enforcement agency recognizes and respects the right of individuals to protest enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Potwelwa, however, said it is incumbent on the gathering and participants to protest within the parameters of the law.
“If there is any violation of the law, we as a law enforcement agency will act decisively,” he warned.
The number to call to action
Potelwa said community members, business owners, drivers, commuters and other affected parties affected by the planned shutdown are advised to contact the following numbers for quick and coordinated response:
- Provincial Government: 0860 142 142
- Saps WC POCC: 0800 31 4444
- City of Cape Town: 107 / 021 480 7700
- Saps Garden Route District: 044 803 4455 / 044 803 4414 / 044 803 4415
- West Coast District Saps: 087 077 0837
- Saps Kab. Central Karoo : 023 302 8326 / 082 302 8326
- Saps Cape Winelands District: 021 807 4015 / 082 522 3175
- Saps City Cape Town District: 082 469 1529
- Saps Overberg District: 028 313 7000
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