Planned protest action on Friday 7 April 2017: Law enforcement in place to secure communities
The people of South Africa have over the past few days been mobilised to participate in a protest action and/or marches on Friday the 7th of April 2017.
It is common knowledge that the laws of our country do not permit participation in any unlawful activities including illegal protest marches. It is a must that organisers and structures responsible for mobilising people comply with the provisions of our laws in securing approval for any gathering that is being planned.
This process is critical to enable the law enforcement agencies in particular, the South African Police Service to mobilise resources to meet the policing demands of our people.
The mandate of the South African Police Service demands from us to ensure the safety and security of all people in South Africa.
Section 205 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa directs that the South African Police Service shall prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold law enforcement.
The events of tomorrow, Friday the 7th of April 2017 demands from the South African Police Service to ensure the maintenance of public order in the execution of the mandate relating to crowd management and policing of crowds during protest actions and marches.
It is against this background, that the South African Police Service deemed it fit to place it on record that the marches planned in and around the city of Tshwane are for practical purposes illegal.
The organisers of the respective marches and or protest action failed to secure approval from the relevant authorities. All these marches and protest actions are considered illegal and anyone participating in such, will be contravening the laws of our country.
To those that were granted permission to march in the cities of Johannesburg, Cape-Town, Mbombela and Ethekwini are called upon to do so in a responsible and peaceful manner.
The SAPS respects the rights of our citizens to protest. As an organisation, we monitor dozens of protest actions across the country on a daily basis to ensure the safety and security of all role players.
We are proud of our track record of late, when dealing with unauthorised or authorised protests which take a violent turn, of exercising maximum restraint whilst applying measures of minimum force to deal with the situation at hand. But, with every right there is an accompanying responsibility.
The SAPS calls upon all persons contemplating taking part in approved protest action on Friday 7 April to do so responsibly and to conduct themselves at all times within the confines of the laws of our country.
This entails demonstrating peacefully, abiding by the laws of our country, respecting the rights of others and paying due respect to the prohibition of carrying dangerous weapons (especially, but not confined to, firearms).
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has been mobilised and will monitor the situation around the clock with a view to deploying appropriate government departments and security forces according to prevailing circumstances. We however, have confidence in our citizens that they will conduct themselves in a befitting manner.
As the lead department in security-related matters, the SAPS urges all key role players, including political parties and community leaders, to refrain from making public statements which would inflame tensions, incite violence or lead to criminal activity or disturbance of peace.
Whilst the security forces/law enforcement agencies are in place to deal decisively with any situation, let us work together to ensure that this does not become a necessity.
Enquiries:
Colonel Athlenda Mathe (Spokesperson to the Acting National Commissioner)
Tel: 082 555 2997
E-mail: Mathea@saps.gov.za
