Pietermaritzburg (S Africa): A group of soldiers from the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF) has landed in Pietermaritzburg following reports that there could be renewed protests in support of jailed former President Jacob Zuma. The presence of special forces in Pietermaritzburg, Durban and other parts of KZN became a spectacle. After being caught unprepared following violent protests that rocked two provinces in July, the State Security Agency, this time around, activated and alerted the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) to potential disturbances.
NatJOINTS sprang into action to avert any possible violent protests like the ones witnessed in July. July’s rioting was sparked by the jailing of Zuma as his supporters demanded his release.
Further disturbances were planned, in what was called the national shutdown. “Law enforcement agencies are on high alert and have, through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of South Africans amidst threats of a ‘National Shutdown,” NatJOINTS said. “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.
“Members of the public are cautioned against spreading such divisive messages. Equally, a different set of messages is also doing the rounds where people are mobilising to respond to the supposed shutdown.” The success in intercepting renewed unrest could be credited to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s scrapping of the ministry of state security and moving intelligence operations to his office when he reshuffled the cabinet in early August.
With the State Security Agency now reporting directly to the president, the reaction was swift to summon NatJOINTS to duty in strategic areas in Gauteng and KZN. While the law enforcement agencies are justifying the deployment of soldiers as necessary to prevent anarchy and prevent the economy from further damage, Economic Freedom Fighters party leader Julius Malema thinks otherwise. The firebrand politician wants soldiers removed from the streets.
