The National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega, has expressed serious concerns about the sporadic incidents of violence, intimidation and other criminal acts that have been taking place during the NUMSA strike.
Today, police in Gauteng arrested 13 NUMSA protestors in Brakpan and 40 people in Germiston on possible charges of public violence. One of these suspects will be charged in terms of the Dangerous Weapons Act for being in possession of a licensed firearm. This adds to the 28 protestors arrested previously in Gauteng and 17 protestors arrested in the Western Cape since the start of the NUMSA strike.
These recent arrests bring the total number of people arrested in the country since the start of the strike to 98.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 7 cases have been registered in the Pinetown area. SAPS members obtained and examined CCTV footage, identified possible suspects and are presently tracing them.
Other provinces are also experiencing strike action but there have been no reports of violence or other related criminal behaviour.
The National Commissioner does not object to anyone exercising their right to protest, but the law clearly states that this must be done procedurally, unarmed and in a peaceful manner. In that regard she has requested a meeting with the leadership of NUMSA to discuss her concerns.