Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has issued strong warnings against “habitual criminals” who are exploiting the ongoing protests against illegal immigration to commit crimes. On Tuesday alone, law enforcement agencies linked to the protests accounted for a staggering 154 criminal incidents across Gauteng.
Mthombeni’s grim update reflects a broader atmosphere of concern, as he revealed that Ekurhuleni reported the highest number of incidents, with 49 arrests. The City of Johannesburg followed closely behind with 41 arrests, while Sedibeng, Tshwane, and the West Rand saw 30, 18, and 16 arrests respectively.
“We have accounted for 37 incidents with 154 arrests. So, it means people, even if they are warned, still commit these crimes. We are dealing with habitual criminals. This came out clearly yesterday. Despite the previous warning, we have encountered high numbers of arrests within the province,” said Mthombeni.
Nationally, the figure stands at 1,000 people who were arrested during the June 30 nationwide protests, with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), led by acting police minister Firoz Cachalia, warning that law enforcement is prepared to monitor further demonstrations.
Mthombeni’s address alongside Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi comes amid reports of violence, looting and destruction of property in areas such as Hillbrow, Yeoville, Germiston, Palm Ridge, Alexandra and other places following the aftermath of Tuesday’s protests across the province.
Ahead of the nationwide protests, Â Mthombeni unveiled a multi-stakeholder effort to curb crime and lawlessness as part of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), with the mobilisation of helicopters, drones and over 33,000 cameras standing ready to prevent any violence on June 30. It is this technology that Mthombeni credited for playing a critical role in nabbing those who went into these protests with an intention to commit crime.
“People thought I was joking. So, the utilisation of this drone technology with thermal capabilities has made sure that we are in a position to arrest a high number of people. And I’m telling you, some of the people, they’re going to struggle to get bail,” Mthombeni stated.
In a show of solidarity, Panyaza Lesufi praised the law enforcement agencies and the protest organisers for their efforts in maintaining a semblance of order. However, he acknowledged the troubling reality of the 154 individuals detained during these demonstrations.
Lesufi further revealed that the province is in the process of convening a two-day summit with civic movements such as March and March and human rights organisations to find lasting solutions to the immigration crisis.
“We will be convening a two-day summit with the organisers of the marches and the human rights commission and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the immigration challenge. Unfortunately, 154 people have been arrested across the province, with the highest number recorded in Ekurhuleni,” he stated.
Following yesterday’s announcement made by the leader of the March and March movement, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who told the people of Durban that Thursdays will be dedicated to countrywide protests against migration, Lesufi said the province will adopt a proactive approach to strike a balance between respecting the right to protest and safeguarding the community from criminal activities.
“On the issue of these marches, we are not lowering our guard. We might not have the resources and the capacity at that level, but the approach is to enter into negotiations and discussions with the organisers of these protests,” he added.
Siyabonga Sithole
iol.co.za
