97 shutdown protesters arrested

ABOUT 97 protesters have been arrested for public-violence-related offences in the country since shutdown protests started on Monday morning.

This was confirmed by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) in their statement this morning. South Africa has been on high alert since last week as the national shutdown for Monday, 20 March, called for by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has taken shape. The minority political party is demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa steps down and that load-shedding ends.

Also read: National Shutdown: Business as usual in Durban Central

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Natjoints spokesperson, said that of the 97 arrested, 41 were arrested in Gauteng, 29 in North West and 15 in Free State. According to the KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, this morning, 10 protesters were arrested in KZN for the national shutdown protests.

“There are also arrests in other provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. Updates will be provided as and when information becomes available. At least 24 300 tyres have been confiscated by law enforcement agencies, and these tyres were strategically placed for acts of criminality,” Brig said.

She highlighted that 6 000 tyres were seized in the Western Cape, 4 500 in the Free State, 3 600 in Gauteng, 1 513 in the Eastern Cape and a few in other provinces.

“Natjoints re-affirms its commitment to serving and protecting both law-abiding protestors and non-protestors. We will not allow and tolerate any forms of lawlessness and acts of criminality. Anyone found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly. Law-enforcement officers are on high alert and will continue to prevent and combat any acts of criminality, maintain public order, protect the inhabitants of South Africa and their properties, as well as uphold and enforce the law,” Brig added.

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