Residents still urged to comply with the regulation of Gatherings Act
The police management in the province would like to advise event’s organisers and communities to comply with the provision of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993 (Act No. 205 of 1993) and the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 (Act No. 2 of 2010) when organising or participating in marches, events or gatherings.
It has been noticed that some events as well as gatherings are conducted without compliance with the provisions of the Regulation of Gatherings Act and the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act taking into considerations that we are approaching festive season. Stipulations by these legal documents are clear and communities are urged to abide as any contravention thereof is punishable by law. Members of the community are further advised to avoid legal actions as a result of participation in illegal protests, marches or unauthorised events.
Participation or attendance to non-categorised events, illegal marches or protests is exposing attendees or participants to safety risks particularly during this time of the year wherein lot of events are taking place or planned. The gatherings or events held without verifying sufficient security, risk categorisation, venue capacity and many other factors are likely to pose security risks. It has since been established that in some instances, attendees and participants lose financially by paying for entry fees for unauthorised events that do not take place as advertised.
It is also significant that conveners and event’s organisers do not advertise their events before meeting with the authorised member or responsible officer in terms of the provisions of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, 2010 or the Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993, respectively.
In a recent incident in Bapong near Brits gathered illegally with an apparent intention to disrupt the other group’s meeting in what appears to be tribal infighting. The incident led to violence wherein cases of malicious damage to property, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, contravention the regulation of gatherings act and robbery and common robbery. Four suspects were arrested and they appeared in Brits Magistrates’ Court last week. They were released on R1000, 00 bail and will appear in court again on Thursday, 1 December 2016.
In case of legal gatherings, the public is also requested not to carry any illegal and dangerous weapons in public or during marches or events. In terms of the Dangerous Weapons Act, 2013, a person is liable upon conviction to a sentence not exceeding three years imprisonment for carrying a dangerous weapon.
It is significant that local police stations are engaged and enquiries made for procedures that must be followed when one organises an event or any gathering.
Enquiries:
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone
Cell: 082 496 9642
