Instigators of unrest could face terrorism charges

J OHANNESBURG - The masterminds behind t he vio l e n t u p r i s i n g s i n p a r t s o f KwaZulu- Natal and Gauteng last week could face terrorism charges.

The National Prosecuting Au t h o r i t y ( NPA ) h a s t o l d Parliament that it would not hesi t a t e t o pr osecute t hose who instigated the looting of shopping malls and destruction of infrastructure under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, a terrorism law.

J u s t i c e Mi n i s t e r R o n a l d

Lamola a l s o i ndicat e d t hat t he vi ol e nt a c t s of burni ng of national key installations, disruptions of economic activities, blockading of national roads — leading to disruptions of key supplies such as food and medicine with dire consequences f or t housands of people — could fall within the parameters of the Act.

Act

“This Act of parliament i s one of t he critical pieces of l egislation designed for t he protection of our constitutional democracy.

“Law- enforcement agencies have to investigate all those who violated t he s piri t and letter of the Act, and the other l a ws of t he r e publi c , ” s a i d Lamola.

Processes

He was addressing the Nat i onal Assembly’s portfolio committee on Justice and Correctional Services about processes to be followed regarding the arrest and prosecution of people involved in the recent violent acts and looting in parts of KZN and Gauteng.

Lamola said their analysis revealed that last week’s unrest and incidents of violence were occasioned by a confluence of issues.