EBI calls for investigation into violent protest to safeguard businesses

This call follows the negative effect the violent protest had on business and consumer confidence.

Subsequently, the EBI, headed by Chris van Biljon, has appointed Juan Kotze Attorneys, based in Boksburg, to do an investigation and to compile a report in respect of the violent protest in Benoni CBD which took place on June 26.

Kotze has confirmed that their brief includes the following:

• To investigate the cause of the violence that was done during the protest;

• To establish whether it was a lawful protest, and if so, what conditions were set for the protest;

• What measures were taken by the SAPS and Ekurhuleni Metro to avoid or curtail the violence;

• To establish the extent of the damages;

• To establish the impact that the violent protest had on the business community;

• The reasons for the incapacitation of the Benoni Fire Station during the protest;

• The involvement and efficiency of the SAPS and Ekurhuleni metro in the crowd control;

• The involvement and efficiency of the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services;

• The involvement of the CPF members or civilians in attempts to curtail the violence;

• 10 Possible future co-operation between local organised business and the official safety and security structures;

• 11 Steps that can be taken to avoid a recurrence of a similar a situation.

Kotze has also indicated that they will also distribute a questionnaire at business premises in the Benoni CBD that had been affected by the violent protest.

He has also requested that anyone who has been a victim of the violent protest or has views about the incident or can assist with information is welcome to contact Kotze at juan@therescueshop or Francois de Kock (francois@therescueshop.co.za) or on telephone 011 892 1018.

Van Biljon, the CEO of the EBI and the Captains of the Industry Forum that represents various businesses in the metro, said the organised business community cannot allow protests to become violent to the extent that millions of rands of damages are caused because somebody has a grievance with the council.

According to him, it can not be allowed that the crowd is not properly controlled with the effect that civilians have to protect their businesses.

Van Biljon, who was recently elected as a member of the Ekurhuleni Business Council, pointed out that there are daily reports of service delivery protests that turn violent and it has become a daily occurrence that CBD’s are vandalised, vehicles set alight, and extensive damage is done to infrastructure.

He also said that it is totally unacceptable that the Fire Service (which is also responsible for the dispatching of ambulances) are incapacitated during potentially dangerous situations.

He said that it may be the time that a “Marikana type enquiry” should be held in order to give guidelines to all interested parties on how service delivery protests should be controlled in order to avoid extensive damage and possible loss of lives.

“The security cluster should liaise with organised business and inform them that protests will take place,” said Van Biljon.

He is also of the view that permission should not be given that protests can be held in the immediate vicinity of emergency key points.

Van Biljon also asked that the parties concerned should get together as a matter of urgency to come up with a plan to avoid a recurrence of the situation.