Cape Town – Police and community policing forum patrol members reportedly quelled early morning protest actions on Monday in Durban’s Umgeni Road and in Verulam where protesters blockaded roads with burning debris and tyres.
According to Times Live, the protest started at around 03:00, with protesters gathering near Connaught bridge in Alpine and Umgeni roads. There were also groups of people in Redcliffe, Verulam, north of Durban.
The protesters were, however, dispersed, and “clean-up operations began immediately”, the report said.
Reports indicated on Monday that at least 5 500 South African soldiers and police officers were set to be deployed to Gauteng streets, as the security personnel geared up for a possible new wave of unrest.
According to News24, police had developed an operational plan amid threats of a national shutdown.
Resources were allocated to guard national key points, police stations, and prisons, the report said.
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This came as South Africa were still recovering from the violent and deadly spate of looting in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July.
A Daily Maverick report said the civic group “Citizens of South Africa” was behind the planned shutdown. They wanted to protest against several issues. The group also wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down, the report said.
The protests were expected to take place in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, Sedibeng and the West Rand, said the report, quoting a leaked South African Police Service (SAPS) operational overlay.
Logos of organisations such as the ANC, South African Communist Party, ANC Youth League, Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association and the South African National Civic Organisation appeared on posters for the planned shutdown, according to the SAPS brief, the report said.
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On Sunday, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structrure (NatJoints) said it was aware of posts on social media calling for a national shutdown.
Meanwhile, EWN reported on Monday that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala had denied claims about the possible shutdown of the province.
Zikalala said the talk of a potential disruption to services and business operations was just a baseless distraction.
Specific stores, roads and areas in Phoenix, Tongaat, Durban North and Verulam were identified as being at possible risk, Times Live said.
Security was beefed up at key point facilities, including the ports and airport, and provincial organisations were informed to be prepared to implement contingency planning protocols in the event of disruptions or threats, the report said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
