The actions by some striking municipal workers over these past days has drifted into an unacceptable conduct to say the least.
The South African Police Service is, among others, bound by law to maintain law and order, which is also entrenched in our code of conduct. It is as vital for police to protect life and property as it is to allow every person to exercise his or her constitutional right to air their views, whether individually or in groups. When individuals or groups go on a rampage by damaging property and intimidating people, police will act accordingly to bring those perpetrators to book and ensure that peace and stability is restored.
Majority of the demonstrations throughout the country were peaceful. However, in at least seven areas, the behavior of some people was atrocious and this behavior warranted police to arrest a total of 85 people for crimes such as Public Violence, Malicious Damage to Property and Theft. In these areas we have received reports of property being damaged, vendors property being looted, vehicles damaged and trash cans toppled. These actions were more criminal in nature than protest actions designed to communicate a particular message. The deviation from the normal protest actions triggers the machinery to redress, which includes the search and tracking of perpetrators, appearance in courts, applications for bail and other criminal procedural steps.
Therefore, protestors are warned that those who engage in illegal activities during these protests must expect that reasonable actions will be taken, including the arrests of culprits that results in facing the full brunt of the law. We have again advised our police officers to keep watchful eye to ensure that the Constitutional rights of participants and the non-participants and the freedom of association and dissociation are respected by all.
For enquiries, please contact:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Tel: 0124006573
Cell: 0825674153
E-mail: naidoov@saps.org.za
Source: South African Police Service
Strikers Warned to Respect the Law
