Zuma put under wraps
Even a ‘pin dropped’ could spell danger
ARING of heavy protection was thrown around President Jacob Zuma when he arrived in East London yesterday to address a joint sitting of the Eastern Cape Legislature and National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
Some 500 law-enforcement officials, including members of the State Security Agency, SAPS dog units, tactical response teams, bomb squads, public order police, flying squads and airwing were deployed for the sitting addressed by Zuma yesterday.
The Eastern Cape Legislature and NCOP held their last joint-sitting at the Abbotsford Christian Centre to hear the president give his annual address to provincial and national lawmakers.
The Saturday Dispatch understands the tightened security net was put in place, following fears that members of the EFF from Buffalo City’s Ward 1 and 2 would disrupt proceedings as soon as the president took the podium.
It is claimed that the EFF had planned to “make a noise by shouting and heckling the president”.
Earlier in the week, two EFF members were manhandled and claim to have been assaulted by legislature staffers during a sitting on Wednesday.
Both MPLs, Litha Zibula and Siyabulela Peter were removed from the legislature for wearing their trademark red overalls.
As a result, Zibula opened a case of assault at the Beacon Bay Police Station against the legislature and its sergeantin-arms, Thembekile Mzantsi, who allegedly led their eviction.
This however could not be confirmed by police at the time of writing yesterday.
More than 100 police vehicles were on high alert while Zuma addressed the NCOP yesterday morning.
A group of about 20 EFF members were kept at bay and not allowed closer to proceedings, as police personnel kept a close eye on them at the entrance of the Abbotsford Christian Centre.
Sources who have intimate knowledge of security for the event, told the Saturday Dispatch that “every pin that dropped was a threat”.
“We had to call all the trained and fit personnel to be at work in and around East London, Bhisho, King William’s Town and Butterworth area.
“Everything, everyone – food, vehicles and every pin that drops – had to be checked because we are dealing with our president here and not just any politician,” said the sources.
The police personnel were ready for any possibile dirsruptions such as a bomb attack, attacks on VIPs, accidents on the road, traffic congestion, overcrowding, protest action and criminal elements. The venue had to be patrolled, checked for explosives and declared safe before the president could speak. One of the key instructions from senior personnel, was that only English should be used “as radio language” during the operation.
A back-up frequency was to be used in case of emergency.
The Saturday Dispatch has it in confidence that in case of medical evacuation, all injured members of parliament and the provincial legislature, would be taken to St Dominic’s Hospital where two doctors were on standby, if there was any need. Civilians were to be taken to Frere Hospital. However, no reports of any people being injured were reported late yesterday.
“This was to ensure an orderly joint sitting of the NCOP and the legislature. We were aware that EFF was to disrupt and throw chairs – we had to look out for them,” said a well-placed source.
Vagrants or job seekers, who normally loiter near the East London Christian Centre or Abbotsford area were screened by authorities as well.
It is understood that Zuma’s popularity was on the wane in the province, with some calls from Buffalo City for his removal.
Addressing the NCOP sitting, Zuma emphasised the importance of prioritising education, saying it was the only way to fight social injustices faced by many.
Meanwhile, the two EFF MPLs who were allegedly assaulted, said their party would consider suing the legislature for the alleged assault on Zibula.
Mzantsi yesterday confirmed a case was opened against him and Kiviet. He claimed Zibula threw the first punch. — asandan@dispatch.co.za / bonganif@dispatch.co.za