The National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has assured the public that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has mobilised the necessary resources and capabilities to respond to any incidents of violence or criminality.
“Our Public Order Police deployments have also been reinforced in areas where there are protests, gatherings or indications of possible unrest.
“I want to assure the people of South Africa that the situation is under close police monitoring and that the SAPS has mobilised the necessary resources and capabilities to respond to any incidents of violence or criminality. We are on the ground. We are monitoring developments. We are coordinating our response,” Dimpane said.
The Commissioner issued a stern warning to those involved in violent protests that led to the torching of cars in Soweto and Durban.
This follows the torching of ten cars in Soweto, Gauteng, and 14 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal during protests outside Home Affairs offices assisting asylum seekers.
The Commissioner said three foreign nationals were arrested, while shops belonging to foreign nationals have also been looted amid the unrest.
The protests are linked to claims that a recent Constitutional Court ruling on asylum applications gives undocumented foreign nationals a blanket amnesty.
“We will not allow violence, the torching of vehicles, destruction of property or attacks on people to continue,” Lieutenant General Dimpane said.
Speaking in Soweto on Thursday night after violence had erupted in some parts of Soweto, Dimpane said anyone who chooses to break the law will be dealt with decisively, without fear or favour.
“Those behind the torching of vehicles will be pursued. Those responsible for acts of violence and destruction will be identified, investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, arrested and brought to book,” Dimpane said.
Dimpane said there will be consequences for criminality.
“The right to raise concerns and to protest does not give anyone the right to commit crime. Legitimate grievances must be pursued through lawful and constitutional processes.
“As SAPS, we will protect the public, we will protect property, and we will enforce the law. I am here in Soweto this evening following incidents of violence and disruptions that have occurred in parts of the country, including here in Gauteng and in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We understand that there are concerns within communities regarding the issue of asylum seekers and the implications of the recent Constitutional Court ruling. These are matters that require a government response through the appropriate constitutional and legal processes,” Dimpane said.
Dimpane told the community of Orlando that they cannot solve issues through violence.
“Violence, intimidation, the destruction of property and attacks on other people will not resolve the challenges before us. Instead, such actions create further hardship for communities and place lives at risk.
Dimpane said the foreign nationals were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal.
“These arrests demonstrate that the South African Police Service will act where criminality occurs, irrespective of who is involved. The police are not here to prevent people from expressing legitimate concerns.
"We are here to ensure that such concerns are expressed within the confines of the law. Our responsibility is to protect life and property, maintain public order and ensure that communities remain safe,” she said.
Dimpane said the Divisional Commissioner for Intelligence has also been directed to reinforce intelligence gathering and assessment.
“This is critical because we need to understand developments on the ground, identify emerging threats and ensure that our deployments remain responsive to the situation.” – SAnews.gov.za
