Simon Nare
Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi has thrown down the gauntlet and warned elements planning to hijack the June 30 demonstration over illegal immigration that they will meet the full might of the law.
Mkhwanazi, addressing the state of readiness in the province, said it will be business as usual and no roads will be closed, no government offices will be closed for business and protesters should stick to set boundaries.
“We will not let criminal elements to hijack the moment of responsible protest. Lawlessness will be met with lawful, firm and professional policing. We are appealing to all those who will be marching and protesting to respect the law.
“No shop must be broken into. No shop must be looted. I hope you hear me very well today. I don’t want to hear anything from Gert Sibande that people were burning tyres, people there in Piet Retief were doing what what, further to Thokozani, I don’t want to hear anything,” warned the Mkhwanazi.
As the deadline for the final push to force illegal immigrants to leave the country, Mpumalanga has identified the Nkangal district municipality as a hotspot area and the N4, which is the vital economic route, is under strict and continuous police visibility to guards against any attacks on commercial trucks.
The province has also heavily beefed-up security at all international border entries bordering Mozambique and Eswatini for good measure.
Speaking at the same event, safety and security MEC Jackie Macie also warned that decisive action against will be taken against any criminality that would prevail on the day, vowing that the police will unleash the full might of the law.
Macie said the police leadership has comprehensively briefed the premier Mandla Ndlovu, myself and the provincial leadership on the operational plan that will guide the deployment of police across various parts of the province.
He added that the provincial government was satisfied that the necessary operational measures were in place to safeguard the constitutional rights of all while maintaining public order and protecting lives and property.
Macie said the government was firmly behind the police as they will be executing their constitutional mandate to defend our democracy and uphold the rule of law.
“Where circumstances require decisive police intervention, act firmly, proportionately and within the confines of the Constitution and the law to restore public order and affirm the authority of the State.
“Anyone who seeks to intimidate communities, loot businesses, destroy infrastructure, assault innocent people, attack foreign nationals, incite violence or undermine public order will be met with a swift, lawful and decisive response from law enforcement agencies,” warned Macie.
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