By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi provided a report on the province’s security operations and the investment prospects during the G20 Leaders Summit.
Lesufi was addressing the media at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
The gathering held at the Nasrec Conference and Expo Centre on Saturday and Sunday was hailed as a monumental success, having managed to achieve a leader’s declaration.
Lesufi said, police made more than 1,000 arrests during the G20 period, including stopping an attempted hijacking of a police vehicle—carried out using a toy gun.
The police confirmed that 1,799 people were arrested between 17 and 20 November, including suspects wanted for infrastructure vandalism and serious crimes such as theft, kidnapping, intimidation and extortion.
Around 1,075 of the arrests were for contact crimes, including assault, rape, murder, attempted murder and house robberies.
Lesufi attributed the success of this case to the use of technology, CCTV, and facial recognition, which he said were instrumental in bringing these suspects to book.
“We are now punching numbers with the provincial commissioner. There was a lot of overtime, lots of resources, and lots of cars that were needed. We said to the police commissioner, we want to continue with the visibility of the police.
Arrests linked to G20 transgressions including Operation Dudula members
Gauteng police arrested 13 people directly linked to G20-related offences, including two Operation Dudula members detained for trespassing at the Nasrec Expo Centre.
The group had been protesting, arguing that government should prioritise South Africa’s domestic challenges over the G20 agenda. A standoff with police left one officer injured and hospitalised.
While outlining security challenges, Lesufi also highlighted the economic benefits of hosting world leaders, saying hotels, airlines and malls saw a surge in visitor numbers.
Besides a positive economic spin-off, reported to be between R1 billion and R3 billion, Lesufi said there are many lessons to be learned to ensure that the province continues to attract big events and investment from global investors.
“Our biggest achievement wasn’t just readiness; it was the coordination model: weekly G20 integrated reporting, joint work across spheres, and visible delivery on roads, lights, verges, utilities, and security in record time,” he said.
However, he suggested that some individuals deliberately attempted to undermine the province’s G20 preparations.
“Unfortunately, during this period, it was quite clear that there was a clear team that was hell-bent to destroy, vandalise some of the state installations during this period with an intention of projecting a picture of a failed state. Even though a majority of these people were arrested, it is quite clear that there were some people that were not happy that we are hosting this important event in our province.”
Political Killings Task Team
Lesufi confirmed today that Gauteng is engaging law enforcement to establish a specialised unit similar to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) operating in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The unit will prioritise killings involving ward councillors, taxi operators and local politicians.
With local government elections nearing, Lesufi said Gauteng has recorded at least 15 councillor assassinations in recent years.
He also expressed concern about a rise in targeted killings within the education sector, following last week’s murder of a principal and clerk at Inxikweni Primary School in Tembisa.
“We are now seeing a very disturbing trend of educators or principals or teachers within the schooling environment. So even though the title might be political killings, but to us it’s these killings that develop a certain format. That we want the provincial commissioner to work on it. We shared exchange notes. He will expatiate on it. But it’s an area that we need in our province,” Lesufi said.