Law enforcement is on high alert and ready to ensure the safe, smooth and secure running of the G20 Leaders’ Summit commencing at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg today.
This, according to South African Police Service national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who spoke to SAnews at the centre just ahead of the summit.
Thousands of people, including heads of state and government, their entourages, delegates and the media are gathering at the global gathering.
“We are quite confident of the security measures that we’ve put in place to ensure that this event takes place in a safe and secure environment…a lot of planning and coordination. But now it’s time for execution and we are quite confident that we will ensure the smooth running of this two-day G20 Leaders’ Summit.
“We have been meeting regularly as the security cluster…and looking at our track record, we have no doubt that this event will take place in a very peaceful environment,” Mathe said.
The spokesperson reminded South Africans of SAPS’ track record of keeping gatherings of this magnitude safe.
She added assurance that regular policing continues where citizens live.
“NATJOINTS has been at the forefront of ensuring that events of this magnitude take place in a very secure environment. We’ve held the BRICS Summit, AGOA conference and the 2010 World Cup and all those events took place in a very secure environment and thanks to our law enforcement agencies who are on the ground doing what is expected of them…to enforce the law.
“Citizens need not worry. We are still having members at the police stations. Our members are still working and any victim of crime, any complaint, you will be taken care of at the police station. Officers at the stations are still working to keep you safe,” she said.
The centre and surrounding areas have been earmarked as red zones only accessible by accreditation.
“If you are not in possession of a valid accreditation card then you cannot be in this vicinity because there’s heightened police operations [and] security is tight.
“We have declared this area as a vehicle-free zone. Meaning that we have implemented a park and ride system. At the park and ride, you get a screening point with police officers where we verify your accreditation card and check for prohibited items,” she told SAnews.
Speakers’ corners have been made for those who have applied to protest at the event.
These areas will also be under police guard – ensuring that South Africans can exercise their right to protest under a safe environment.
However, those who step outside of the bounds of the law will be dealt with.
“We are warning those who want to test our security measures that we are not going to allow any lawlessness. We are not going to allow any criminality. We are here to stamp the authority of the state.
“We are not going to allow any disruptions. Any testing of security measures and you’ll find yourself on the wrong side and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with that ill-discipline,” Mathe warned.
South Africans are urged to take heed of road closures and traffic control during the weekend.
“We request and urge the people of South Africa, in the true spirit of ubuntu, to cooperate with law enforcement. It’s just for a short period of time where there will be traffic disruptions and traffic congestions and not being able to use certain roads.
“Let us show our international visitors the true spirit of ubuntu. Let us stand together to ensure the successful hosting of this particular event,” Mathe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
