87 arrested across the country
JOHANNESBURG - Police through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said they arrested 87 protesters across the country for public violence-related offences.
The arrests come as members of the EFF protest against social and economic challenges faced by South Africans, including crime, corruption, load-shedding and unemployment, among others.
NATJOINTS Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: “Of the 87 arrested, 41 were arrested in Gauteng, 29 in North West and 15 in Free State. There are also arrests in other provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. Updates will be provided as and when information becomes available.
Tyres
“At least 24 300 tyres have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies. These were tyres that were strategically placed for acts of criminality – 6 000 were seized in the Western Cape, 4 500 in the Free State, 3 600 in Gauteng, 1 513 in the Eastern Cape.” Meanwhile, the Black Business
Council has appealed to the EFF and those engaging in protest action to respect the rights of those who choose not to participate.
The council’s CEO Kganki Matabane said: “We are urging the government to ensure the safety of those who don’t want to participate in the protest and we expect the EFF to respect the rights of those who don’t want to participate. The Constitution allows for protests but not for those who want to interfere with those who aren’t interested. So, we urge all our members to be careful.”
JOHANNESBURG - An SABC news crew has come under attack in Cape Town. The incident reportedly happened in the early hours yesterday on the N2 near Borcherds Quarry in Nyanga.
The crew was collecting visuals of the national shutdown when two men allegedly approached their vehicle and hit the car with an object.
A crew member seated in the front of the vehicle was struck on the head with the object.
He has been hospitalised.
Cape Town’s safety and security MMC JP Smith said a small group of protesters had gathered on the road where the attack occurred.
“Police and metro police held the line and pushed the protesters back into Nyanga,” said Smith.
In Mowbray, Smith said police fired teargas to disperse a group of around 100 protesters.
“Yesterday saw two failed attempts with petrol bombs thrown at MyCiti busses. The flames were extinguished with only smoke damage. Police forensics gathered evidence,” said Smith.