Update on the Protests in the City of Tshwane

MINISTRY OF STATE SECURITY

MEDIA STATEMENT

UPDATE ON THE PROTESTS IN THE CITY OF TSHWANE

Government has noted that there is gradual stability in some of the previously volatile areas. This is a result of the interventions by the government law enforcement agencies who have been responding and monitoring the situation over the past 24 hours.

In this regard, forty more suspects have been arrested in connection with incidents of looting and public violence in and around the City of Tshwane since last night. This brings the total number of arrested suspects to 54. The arrests were effected in Atteridgeville, Hercules, Mabopane, Soshanguve and Mamelodi. The suspects have been charged with public violence, theft and possession of stolen property.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) has also noted a worrying phenomenon of false text and social media messages that are causing unnecessary public panic. We appeal to members of the public not to pay these mischievous hoax messages any heed. Government will announce whenever there is any messages that warrant public attention through official channels.

It is quite disturbing that pictures were posted on social media that sought to portray law enforcement officers as part of the looters. We would like to place it on the record that the law enforcement officers whose pictures have been distributed in social media were actually returning the looted goods to shop owners.

While stability is gradually returning to some of the previously volatile areas, government has noted that the sporadic violent protests and incidents of looting continue in parts of Tshwane such as Mabopane and Soshanguve. Government assures the public that law enforcement agencies are responding and monitoring these development and peace and calm will return to the city. The attacks and looting of shops show that some of the protest actions are motivated by purely criminality. There can never be any justification for this kind of lawlessness and it will not be tolerated. We urge members of the public to work with law enforcement agencies and report these criminal acts whenever they happen.

Government would like to reassure members of the public that the law enforcement agencies will not rest until peace and calm is restored in the City.

Enquiries: Mr Siphiwe Dlamini 083 645 4294

Issued by GCIS on behalf of

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster

22 June 2016