Cape Town – At least 550 people were arrested on Monday during the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)’s national shutdown.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the protesters were arrested for various reasons, including public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft and attempted looting.
“The Natjoints (National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure) has at 22:00 on, 20 March 2023, arrested more than 550 protestors for amongst others public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft and attempted looting.
“In those arrested, Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 149, the Northern Cape recorded the second highest number with 95 arrests, the Eastern Cape also saw 80 protestors arrested, followed by Free State with 64 arrests.
“The number of tyres that were confiscated throughout the country remains at 24 300. These were tyres that were strategically placed for acts of criminality,” Mathe said.
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Mathe said that the protest proceeded in a peaceful manner in Pretoria
“Through intelligence-driven operations, the swift response by members of the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to pockets of opportunistic criminality is commended.
“The secondary support role of the South African National Defence Force in assisting the work of the police by protecting critical infrastructure such as ports of entry, toll roads, and harbours has also yielded positive results.
“The role of private security in the sharing of resources and as a force multiplier on the ground also played a major role in ensuring that law enforcement visibility is heightened. Through the SAPS E2 (eyes and ears) project, the security industry made resources and tools of trade available to law enforcement,” said Mathe.
The EFF took to the streets on Monday to demand an immediate end to load shedding and for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
