A series of communications was circulated yesterday on a possible National Shutdown in response to increasing fuel prices. The Western Cape Government then assessed the risk and has been working closely with safety stakeholders including the City of Cape Town, Traffic Services, Disaster Management and SAPS in the province.
As at 11:00, the Provincial Joint Operations Committee (ProvJOC) confirmed that protest action had been reported in Kraaifontein Bloekombos area, Elsies River Industrial area, and Epping Industrial. Protest action in Elsies River has, however, since been calmed. There is also protest action in Hanover Park Street in the CBD related to service delivery which we are continuing to monitor closely.
The Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said: “I want to call for calm among our residents and particularly within affected communities. SAPS and other Law Enforcement agencies are on the ground and road closures are in place, as necessary. We are continuing to work with all safety stakeholders to monitor and stabilise these flare-ups and we will continue to keep the community updated as needed.”
“As the Western Cape Government, we take a zero-tolerance approach towards violent protest action. We cannot allow our communities to be held at ransom by a few. This is why we are and must work closely with all safety stakeholders at this time to ensure that our commuters can get home and back safely and that the infrastructure, which our communities, is not destroyed,” continued Minister Allen.
These efforts are being coordinated at the ProvJOC level to ensure that we can respond as and when needed.
“We all have the right to protest, but just as we have this right, we have the responsibility to ensure that it’s done peacefully and within the ambit of the law. I call on those that would be participating not to intimidate, interfere or in any way deny others who do not wish to participate from getting to work, school, a healthcare facility, or any other place where they might be travelling to. No one has the right to block people’s freedom of movement and this should at all times be adhered to. I’ve been informed by the Department of Mobility that public transport is operating as normal today. I urge all residents, whether protesting or not, to be safe and considerate and to take the necessary precaution where required,” added Minister Allen.
Residents with any information of unlawful protest action are asked to urgently report such to Crime Stop by calling 08600 10111 or by using the MySAPS app. Alternatively, if you are based within the City of Cape Town, you can also contact the City of Cape Town on 021 480 7700.
