By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Police Minister Bheki Cele says the security cluster will be on high alert during the festive season to guard against unrest following the news that former president Jacob Zuma may head back to prison.
On Wednesday, the High Court in Pretoria overturned the decision by former Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser to place Zuma on medical parole.
The 79-year-old politician served less than two months of a 15-month jail term for contempt of court.
The judgment could see Zuma back at the Estcourt prison in KZN if his appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeals fails.
The Department of Correctional Services is also set to challenge the judgement.
The renewed spat with the judiciary has garnered some pushback from pro-Zuma supporters, sparking fears of renewed unrest.
But Cele assured the country security forces have their ears to the ground.
“As the cluster, we wish to reiterate our confidence in our constitutional democracy that provides that all people are equal before the law. The separation of powers and the independence of the Judiciary are the bedrock of our Constitution, and our courts function without fear or favour as they entrench the rule of law,” Cele told journalists in Pretoria.
“Any form of recourse must follow appropriate channels within the confines of the law.”
Cele said his portfolio had engaged with the Defence portfolio for additional reinforcement.
“We have learnt from our experiences and we will have to use those experiences that the repeat of the destruction of property and loss of life as it happened shouldn’t.
“We have met with the management and leadership of the South African Police and Defence to make the preparations that the responses and reactions are much better this time and we believe they are on the ground in preparation for that as we speak.”
He added the additional forces would also be needed to strengthen tactical responses during the festive season, with large volumes of visitors expected to head to holiday destinations across the country.
Minister of Defence & Military Veterans, Thandi Modise said that they [the military] have been in discussion with the Police Minister, and [defence] have agreed to take over just the toll roads and the toll gates specifically.
“That decision was taken because we cannot afford a situation as a country where trucks block very strategic economic routes, which not only affects South Africa, but the whole of SADC,”she said.
She added that it is still unclear whether the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) will only be deployed for the December period, but that they [defence] won’t hesitate to get involved should any situation arise to create uncertainty over the safety of life and limb, property and the economic interest of the country.
“We will not hesitate if we are approached to be on standby, but we have not decided to be on standby simply because there is a court ruling. We are on standby because we have been observing a trend where trucks keep on hindering the free movement of innocent South Africans and affecting the standing of this country,” she said.
Meanwhile Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola called for “calm and refrain”from all South Africans after Zuma’s court ruling on Wednesday. “It is important that we allow the due processes of the law to take its course,” he said.