Police are on high alert and national intelligence authorities are monitoring the risks associated with the latest wave of social media calls for a national shutdown on June 10, law enforcement authorities said in a statement on Thursday.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) said it was aware of the unsigned messages and posters that had been circulating on various social media platforms over the past few days calling for a national shutdown. One message warned the public to stock up on food and fuel, stating that a national shutdown was planned for June 10 in protest against rising fuel prices. A second message warned that there would be protests regarding SA Social Security Agency grants.
“Those behind these messages are warned and reminded that prohibiting people's freedom of movement is a criminal offence. Members of the public are therefore cautioned against spreading such messages that seek to mobilise communities to respond to the shutdown,” Natjoints said in the statement.
“The Natjoints is calling on all people in South Africa to work together with law enforcement authorities to uphold and enforce the law. Any action aimed at contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law. To this end, the Natjoints is calling for the cooperation of the public.”
Natjoints said that on June 8, the Intelligence Coordinating Committee( ICC) had briefed the organisation on the validity of the call for a national shutdown.
“The intelligence community is closely monitoring the situation and the associated risks. With this said, law enforcement officers have been deployed and are on high alert to prevent and combat any forms of criminality,” said Natjoints.
It said its provincial divisions had been directed to “ensure multidisciplinary deployments and that the necessary contingency plans are in place”.
“Natjoints assures members of the public that enforcement of the law will be executed within relevant prescripts to ensure stability in the country.”
The SA National Taxi Association distanced itself from the social media messages, telling Freight News on Thursday said it would not participate in the shutdown.
“We as Santaco are not part of the shutdown. All that said, is if there is a shutdown we won't have anyone to load,” said Santaco Durban chairperson, Yusuf Khalivia.
Santaco KZN spokesperson Mduduzi Makhunga said in a statement on Thursday that the association distanced itself from the call for a national shutdown.
“We are pleased to inform all the taxi operators and drivers that we will not be participating in the strike, and we appeal to those who have opted to partake to refrain from disrupting our operation.”
However, he said the association’s leadership had met on Wednesday to discuss the strain that the hefty fuel prices were placing on taxi businesses.
“The meeting resolved that the Santaco KZN leadership demands to meet with the Provincial Executive Committee, which is led by the KwaZulu Natal Premier, Mr Sihle Zikalala, on Friday, 10 June 2022, to address the current issues faced by the taxi industry as a result of fuel hikes,” said Makhunga.
