Committee urges police to stabilise Tshwane
Parliament’s portfolio committee on police on Wednesday urged the SA Police Service (SAPS) to restore order in the protest-hit Tshwane metro.
Chairman Francois Beukman said police should ensure law enforcement visibility in the affected areas.
"We must ensure that the safety of our citizens receives the highest priority. Maintaining public order and securing the inhabitants of the republic and their property is the constitutional duty of the SAPS," Beukman said on Wednesday.
Violence broke out three days ago with roads blocked, buses burnt out and shops looted in Tshwane townships such as Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, GaRankuwa and Hammanskraal.
The townships were calm on Wednesday, although several foreign owned shops were reportedly looted overnight.
Government’s security cluster condemned the violence on Tuesday, with Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula adding that visible policing patrols had been bolstered with more officers deployed.
Beukman said the committee would support the deployment of additional police units from other provinces, if the need for such arose.
"We cannot allow the forces of anarchy to destroy infrastructure and facilities that benefit the community. It is the duty of all South Africans residing in the affected areas to work with the SAPS to bring stability to the affected areas," he said. - ANA