Army is out to stop ‘shutdown’
THREAT: INFLAMMATORY MESSAGES CIRCULATING
Fear that phase 2 of ‘insurrection’ is ahead.
In an unprecedented deployment since last month’s mayhem in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and parts of Gauteng, South African security forces – some in armoured vehicles – were out in numbers yesterday, maintaining heightened visibility to suppress an anticipated countrywide shutdown.
Responding to social media messages calling for the country to be rendered ungovernable, thousands of police officers, backed by members of the army, appeared to be well prepared to quell a repeat of the recent violence and looting, which President Cyril Ramaphosa described as “an insurrection”.
Announcing a state of readiness to deal with the shutdown threat, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) said over the weekend measures were in place to ensure the safety and security of South Africans.
NatJoints said it was aware of inflammatory messages on social media platforms advocating violence and warned that this constituted a criminal offence.
Institute for Security Studies senior researcher Dr Johan Burger said: “One important lesson is not to wait until something happens, but to pre-empt. In that sense, the security services are now far more proactive.
“Heightened security serves as a deterrent, as well as a reassurance to the public, business and investors. Should something happen, they will also be able to react quite quickly, compared to the poor response in July.”
Burger said the country’s intelligence agencies have “not miraculously recovered their former capabilities”.
“But what now seems clear is that they somehow manage to do better with the little they have.
“While it is important for the intelligence to provide information to help with the arrest of ringleaders, that should be done on the basis of the integrated task team approach – where dedicated detectives, intelligence operators and tactical unit members work together,” he added.
The violence and looting in KZN and parts of Gauteng led to the burning and closure of several retail outlets, with Minister of Police Bheki Cele announcing the arrest of 13 people allegedly linked to the unrest.
Except for former president Jacob Zuma’s staunch ally Ngizwe Mchunu, who was last month released on R2 000 bail by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, and #FeesMustFall leader Bonginkosi Khanyile – both charged for inciting public violence – few high-profile instigators of the unrest have been named.
Mchunu has been accused of inciting violence linked to the recent unrest in KZN and Gauteng. Khanyile’s case has been postponed to Thursday for a bail application. –