Police arrest one of 12 ‘instigators of insurrection’
WITH the latest death toll from days of anarchy standing at 117, police have arrested one of 12 people they suspected of being the instigators behind the insurrection in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng while law enforcement agencies are tracking down the other suspects.
Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni yesterday gave a brief update on the ongoing violent unrest that has brought the economic hubs in both provinces to their knees.
Addressing the media, she confirmed that one of the 12 “instigators” was in custody, but avoided answering further questions on the topic.
Ntshavheni also reported that an inquest had been opened after six bodies were found in the roof of the Tembisa Mall in Gauteng. She said that the investigation was still under way on whether these bodies were a result of the violence.
Ntshavheni reported that 26 deaths had been reported in Gauteng, while the death toll in KZN had risen to 91.
She said while there were fewer incidents reported in Gauteng, KZN remained volatile.
In Gauteng, another 139 people had been arrested, bringing to 735 the number of arrests in the province
By yesterday afternoon a total of 1 478 people had been arrested in KZN.
Ntshavheni added that while the main roadways such as the N3 and N2 remained blocked, people should not panic about food shortage.
She refuted rumours that food supplies would run out in the next 24 hours, saying that food stocks were sufficient, and that goods would be transported as soon as the roads reopened.
She said that the SANDF was escorting fuel tankers and standing guard at national key points.
In a recent briefing, Police Minister Bheki Cele said law enforcement agencies had a list of 12 South Africans suspected of fuelling the violence that had caused havoc in Gauteng and KZN. He said this included former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile.
During his visit to Phoenix, north of Durban, yesterday, Cele said the government was concerned about the racial tensions in the area.
SECURITY cluster ministers want to act against those who are behind the looting and destruction of property in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The ministers, who visited different areas affected by the violence in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday, said they would not allow what happened to be repeated.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula joined State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo in the province, in a visit aimed at quelling the violence.
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Phoenix, north of Durban, which has been badly affected by the violence and experienced racial tensions.
Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu called for calm in the area, saying they needed to arrest those who led the violent protests and looting in the province.
Sisulu said they were concerned about the impact the violence had had in KwaZulu-Natal, and that it had threatened food security in the province.
“We must find a way to deal with this hooliganism.
“It is clear some of them (looters) were not driven by hunger, but hooliganism,” said Sisulu.
She warned that the destruction of many businesses would have an impact on revenue collection.
The SNDF has deployed 25 000 soldiers in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The portfolio committee on police will today hold an urgent meeting with Cele to receive an update on the security situation in the country.
Mapisa-Nqakula appeared before the joint standing committee on defence this week, where she said ministers had agreed to send the 25 000 troops to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Chairperson of the committee, Cyril Xaba, said they would hold another meeting with Mapisa-Nqakula to receive more details on the deployment of the army.
The SA National Defence Union said this was the biggest mobilisation of the army over the past few years.
The opposition parties have welcomed the deployment of the army to the two provinces, saying the government needed to send more troops to protect the N2 and N3 highways in KwaZulu-Natal to allow trucks and tankers to transport essential goods.
“It is critical that a large part of the military deployment is used to open up and guard the N2 and N3, along with other major routes and intersections, as well as to provide security for shops as they restock,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said.
“The SANDF has the vehicles, equipment and personnel for this crucial task. And while they must also assist the SAPS with law enforcement duties, protecting the province’s food security and supply chains must be a top priority.”