Mashaba: If I was in charge they would be in jail
Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba has expressed his disappointment at the lack of arrests following Thursday’s attacks by illegal vendors on the police in the CBD.
Police officers were attacked by illegal street traders while conducting an operation targeting counterfeit goods.
Police had to retreat after a violent crowd started throwing officers with objects including bricks and petrol bombs, according to Gauteng police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters.
Watch the video below:
JHB Central - RIOTING: Foreign Nationals attacking police:
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 1, 2019
AVOID Jeppe, Troye, Delvers and Von Wielligh routes pic.twitter.com/B3yiLI0q2h
Mashaba says it is disappointing that so far, nobody has been arrested.
“You expect the police the police when they are confronted in that manner, they call for backup, and ensure people are arrested and face the full might of the law.”
The mayor says the incident only proves that the country doesn’t have an adequate police force to root out lawlessness and criminality.
“Honestly I think if I was in charge of this operation, last night I can tell you, those guys would have been in jail, being processed to see if they qualify to be in this country and today I’d be making arrangements for them to be sent back to their respective countries.”
Mashaba says counterfeit goods in the CBD is crippling the city’s economy and causing factories to close down.
He has urged the national government to get involved in the cleaning up of the Joburg CBD and to bring back law and order.
Listen below:
Rubber bullets fired at protestors in Joburg CBD
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar says the officers responded after they were attacked by the protesters. Four metro police vehicles were damaged in the process. "Protestors started attacking officers. However, after firing rubber bullets they dispersed," Minnaar says. The reason for the protest is still unknown and no arrests have been made.