By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) on Sunday said law enforcement agencies are on high alert “amidst threats of a ‘national shutdown’ on 23 August 2021”.
Police and other law enforcement agencies said they had put measures in place, through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS), to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans.
The NatJOINTS is aware of inflammatory messages on various social media platforms advocating for violence. Those behind these messages are warned that inciting violence is a criminal offence”.
NatJOINTS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Robert Netshiunda said on Sunday:
“Equally a different set of messages is also doing the rounds where people are mobilising to respond to the supposed shutdown.”
“The public is urged not to respond to calls for violence and criminality, and are thus discouraged from participating in activities that seek to defy the rule of law and undermine the authority of the state.”
The structure called on community police forums to work with the police and mobilise against any form of lawlessness.
“Law-abiding citizens should be at ease knowing that the NatJOINTS is not taking these threats lightly. Security forces are on high alert and ready to maintain stability in the country, and ensure the safety and security of South Africans,” Netshiunda added.
NatJOINTS reminded people that adjusted Alert Level 3 lockdown regulations were in place and called on people to adhere to the regulations.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has called for calm amid rumours of a national shutdown which have been circulating on social media.
Zikalala said posts and posters were circulated on social media alleging a total shutdown would happen on August 23.
He added the provincial government was ready to engage with residents’ concerns, but cautioned protests and marches should be conducted within the law and national lockdown regulations.
“We don’t want to be distracted by fake news and we are not taking anything for granted,” said Zikalala.
Meanwhile the judiciary has come under heavy criticism from the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial executive committee – which accused SA’s judges of favouring President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration while being biased against former president Jacob Zuma.
The criticism is in a report the PEC delivered in a closed meeting with ANC national officials last month, following the unrest that claimed more than 300 lives in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.