LIVE: Army not deployed to Tshwane yet - Security Cluster
2016-06-21 15:00
A briefing by security cluster ministers, including Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is State Security Minister David Mahlobo is under way.
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This would have been worse had our intelligence services not picked up on this matter and we have National Intelligence and Crime Intelligence are watching the situation very closely. - Mahlobo
Now Gauteng Premier David Makhura is speaking - When there is destruction of property of the scale that started last night we must take a stern stance. It is the responsibility of the state to protect the citizens and that is what we are here to do. It doesn't matter which party was involved. We will act and act firmly.
Citizens should know that if there is any credible threat, only the state would be able to communicate that message. We have seen the hoax communications that seek to cause mayhem - Mahlobo
MN answers reporter: The situation is assessed on a daily basis and depending on the outcome of that assessment we will make a choice on whether to deploy the SANDF or not.
They [the army] are a last line. We have the police deployed across the country, she says. We are not picking up the pieces of an ANC problem. We are making sure that South Africans feel safe all the time. You know we are from the ANC but for now look at us as Ministers.
First question from reporter: Are govt offices in Pretoria still open and is the army being deployed to areas concerned.
We have noted the criminal elements who have taken advantage of this situation. No public area shall be turned into a no-go zone, Mapisa Nqakula assures.
Defence Minister continues: We call on communities to raise grievances within the confines of the law and those who exercise their right to protest are urged to do so in a peaceful manner. We invite anyone with information [on those who have broken the law] to come forward so we can act with speed.
Defence Minister says: We call on all people not allow themselves to be mislead by misinfomation on social media intended to cause confusion and panic, defence minister says.
We will make official announcements as and when they are necessary. Damage to property and infrastucture and infringing on the free movement of others will not be tolerated by law enforcement agencies. We addressed the people in Mamelodi and they were excited...it would appear we only have a small group of hooligans who are destroying property... Government has increased visible policing and monitoring of hotspots will continue.
Criminal matters arising out of this will be prioritized. Approximately 20 cases are under investigation and some arrests have been made.
We have seen buses burnt and roads barricaded but as are talking now everything is fine. Government is calling for calm and we are responding to the situation - MN
The destruction of property and chaos we have witnessed is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.
This briefing is regrettably about the undemocratic scenes we have been witnessing, Mapisa Nqakula (MN for short) says. Government has noted that sporadic protests are not confined to the city of Tshwane but also elsewhere, she says.
Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is joined by David Makhura and David Mahlobo. Senior police and defence officials are also at the briefing
Some reporters have been tweeting that the security cluster briefing due to start at 16:00 has been cancelled. However, News24's Jeff Wicks, who is there, says it is good to go.
The current violence in parts of Tshwane cannot be good for SA's image, especially in the six months which are so crucial to ratings agencies, says a business leader.
"The current violence cannot be good for the business community or the general morale of individuals and the community at large," he said. "What the result of the violence will be, is a million dollar question. We must remember how the outside world will view SA because of the violence" Dr Ernest Messina, CEO of business chamber AHi, told Fin24 on Tuesday.
TRAFFIC: To check which roads have been affected by protest action in Gauteng, click our link below.
Ramokgopa has concluded his speech. Residents seems resolute in their desire for "Sputla" to continue as ANC Tshwane mayoral candidate, despite his pleas for them to "accept party decisions."
A lot of community members praising Ramokgopa for bettering the quality of their lives.
But Ramokgopa says ANC supporters need to accept decisions made within party structures.
Meanwhile, back in the community hall:
Ramokgopa: We will only achieve if ANC is in charge.
Crowd: No, no, no.
Meanwhile, the army is believed to be on stand-by to intervene in violence-hit townships in and around Pretoria, Netwerk24 reported on Tuesday.
A meeting was underway on Tuesday afternoon at the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) to discuss the possibility.
A source with first-hand knowledge of the talks said a special unit was on standby to assist the police, but a final decision has not yet been made.
Ramokgopa: ANC leaders have decided to engage branch leaders from tomorrow in a bid to resolve your issues.
The scrum of press at the door of what is supposed to be a "closed" community meeting, says News24's Jeff Wicks, who is also in Atteridgeville.
Tshwane mayor Kgosientso "Sputla" Ramokgopa is due to arrive at the community hall in Atteridgeville where protesters will meet with party leadership, News24's Karabo Ngoepe reports.
News24's Karabo Ngoepe says protesters are due to meet the city's party leadership shortly in Atteridgeville.
Back in Pretoria, pictures are circulating of what the N1 north of Tshwane looks like. The road going south has been closed due to the violence.
Another picture of Malema and EFF supporters deep in conversation with police in Tembisa. (Mpho Raborife, News24)
Back in Tembisa, News24 multimedia reporter Hasan Variawa has been injured by the anti-EFF group.
He was struck on the back of the neck while recording video.
He is okay.
Things have become tense in Tembisa in their own right.
An angry, anti-EFF group have met Malema and the EFF supporters, armed and seemingly ready to do battle.
EFF leader Julius Malema meanwhile is in Tembisa, Johannesburg visiting the homes of party members who were killed in Sethokga Hostel.
Daily Maverick journalist Richard Poplak asked him to weigh in on the protests currently engulfing Tshwane, and he replied, saying the situation needs to be fixed by the ANC, as it's "their mess".
UPDATE: Tshwane areas still volatile and tense.
Atteridgeville is still the most tense, with a lot of looting and burning taking place.
Mamelodi is calm, despite the 21 buses burnt and roads blocked earlier this morning.
Parts of Soshanguve are also burning (roads leading out of Rosslyn to the north). A massive truck was set alight.
Roads closed:
- Church Street (WF Nkomo) into Atteridgeville.
- Bremer Street north bound towards R80 Mabopane highway.
- R80 from Eskia Mpahlele (DF Malan) until Brits road R513.
- Van Der Hoff Road west from Bremer and surrounding streets up to the Coke Factory and Mahem Garage.
- N1 north/south towards Hamanskraal/Zambezi.
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