City tightens security at meeting after ANC threats

THE CITY of Joburg yesterday tightened security at a meeting of its government programme after threats of violence.

Text messages were again sent out ahead of an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting in Protea South, Soweto, calling on ANC members to go out in their numbers.

Last week, chaos broke out at an IDP meeting in Midrand and DA member Andrew Osmond was left with a gash on his head.

Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba said they decided to tighten security at the venue after seeing text messages encouraging ANC members to cause chaos at the meeting.

“I saw messages mobilising people to come and disrupt because they want tenders. Look at how people behaved because we have been communicating, but at the same time not taking chances. We are grateful to our law enforcement agencies to ensure that our people are protected,” Mashaba said.

The text messages sent out label Mashaba as EFF leader Julius Malema’s garden boy.

The message reads in part: “The time has come and the time is now. Ground forces must learn to respect our president.”

About 1 000 residents attended the meeting, which was well guarded by Joburg metro police department (JMPD) members.

At the entrance to the venue, metro police public order officers conducted body searches. More searches were done at the entrance of the hall where Mashaba was speaking.

Outside the venue, there were JMPD squad cars, a police Nyala as well as taxis.

Mashaba said that in light of the threats, it was important for security to be tightened.

“It is important because police are there to protect society against hooliganism and thuggery. We cannot take chances on exposing our people to criminality. Everyone behaved well and there was no need for police to do anything.”

Mashaba said the Protea South meeting was one of the most successful that he has hosted on his roadshow across the municipality.

Speaking to the residents, Mashaba said: “I will be lying to you if I say that I will solve all your problems tomorrow or in the next five years. It is impossible; the level of corruption and unemployment that I have inherited cannot be dealt with overnight.”

He added that residents had to measure his performance every year.

Jolidee Matongo, the ANC’s Joburg spokesperson, said the party had called on residents and their party members to attend the IDPs in large numbers.

“The intention is not to disrupt but to add meaningful contributions so that service delivery can be improved,” Matongo said.

He condemned the call for disruptions at the meetings, saying: “If any of our members are found to have called on people to be violent, they will be dealt with according to our internal rules.”

We cannot take chances on exposing our people to criminality