WATCH: Bheki Cele visits Sedibeng to monitor the state of readiness amid the national shutdown
"Monday will be a normal working day for all South Africans. We will ensure that businesses continue to operate on the day and roads are accessible, all government services will be available as normal," said Bheki Cele.
RATANDA –Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the Sedibeng Cluster operation on Friday, March 17, conducted on the N3 ahead of the much-anticipated national shutdown.
Cele was flanked by Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela, Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Acting Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Major General Tommy Mthombeni, and Sedibeng Acting District Commander Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele visited N3 weigh ridge to monitoring the state of readiness in Sedibeng amid Monday's #NationalShutdown pic.twitter.com/u0lSvaRSU3
— Sifiso Jimta (@JimtaSifiso) March 17, 2023
During his visit, a random stop and search were conducted on the national road outside Heidelberg.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Cele said Monday is a normal working day and their officers are ready for action.
“We want to make it very clear, as the government we can’t be against a legal march. Those people with issues need to march for, it’s their constitutional right to be protected and all that. A point we want to make is that those who don’t want to be part of those marches must be also protected,” he said.
Cele said they monitor routes with a lot of movement in order to make sure that illegal activities are prohibited before Monday.
“We understand there are issues that need to be taken care of and make sure they don’t take place so that the situation is managed properly. There is a lot of movement on our roads and we are looking at that movement like a hawk. We don’t want to hinder those movements of people,” he said.
Cele added that they will be on standby until all cops are recalled following the march.
“We are working closely with the community and all other stakeholders in Sedibeng. On all strategic points, there will be members of the South African National Defense Force. We are making a call to everyone that come Monday everyone should be free and nobody should come with any form of provocation,” he said.
Cele said Monday is a normal working day.
