More than 900 people arrested on 30 June, says NATJOINTS
The Chair of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said more than 900 people were arrested during the 30 June operations.
The NATJOINTS structure briefed the media on Wednesday on the aftermath of the anti-undocumented migration protests referred to as the '30 June protests'.
Mosikili said law enforcement worked through the night to ensure that peace, safety and stability prevailed.
"While there were opportunistic criminal elements that sought to exploit the situation, they were identified and dealt with swiftly and decisively by law enforcement," said Mosikili.
"Their actions did not undermine the overall stability of the country, and our operational readiness ensured that law and order were maintained throughout."
She added that overnight reinforcements were deployed in response to isolated incidents of looting and crime in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Western Cape.
She said a total of 120 marches took place on Tuesday, of which only 12 required law enforcement intervention due to unrest.
Mosikili said the overwhelming number of people who took part in the protests did so peacefully and respected the rule of law.
She extended appreciation to the leadership of various march organisers for working with law enforcement and for encouraging their supporters to remain peaceful.
"Your leadership contributed significantly to maintaining public order and ensuring that South Africans were able to exercise their democratic rights safely," said Mosikili.
Mosikili said that while the vast majority of demonstrations remained peaceful, individuals attempted to exploit yesterday's events to commit criminal acts.
"The majority of those arrested were illegal foreigners and looting as a result of law enforcement operations conducted alongside the protests. Some were arrested for public violence, some for harbouring illegal immigrants, business robbery at spaza shops, etc."
She said 215 people were arrested in the Western Cape, 208 were arrested in the Eastern Cape, 153 were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, 132 were arrested in the Free State, 83 were arrested in the North West, more than 82 were arrested in Gauteng, 51 were arrested in the Northern Cape, 26 were arrested in Limpopo and 7 people were arrested in Mpumalanga.
"Those who sought to exploit yesterday's demonstrations for criminal gain were identified, pursued and brought before the law."
READ MORE
