‘We relied on social media posts’ - Makhura on July unrest

Speaking during the hearing on Friday, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said he had to forward social media posts he received to the state security agency and then acting provincial police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni.

“How did we become aware? Social media played a very key role. There were social media posts as the situation was unfolding in KwaZulu-Natal particularly on Friday, which were followed by posts going around saying that Gauteng was going to be next.

“I personally took up those posts, referred them to the law enforcement agencies (including) lieutenant major-general Mthombeni (who) was the acting provincial commissioner because the provincial commissioner (Elias Mawela) was hospitalised due to Covid at the time.”

Makhura told the commission that the main problem was relying on social media for intel.

“Our biggest issue was that we were essentially relying a lot on the social media post rather than relying on the information from the state agencies that are charged with the responsibility.”

He explained that they essentially had to follow the warning on social media, and when they notified law enforcement, he was told that follows ups were being done.

“From the 9th of July until the 12th of July we were on call most of the time, if I came across any social media post that gets brought to my attention often by citizens in our province, we sent to the state security agency and provincial commissioner and each of those instance, they would assure me that they’re following up on those posts."

“We were chasing the wind basically. It was the information coming from the social media that ‘that place was going to be next’ or ‘this type of action will be escalated’ the following day.”

“I’ve said it publicly, that we disappointed at state agency including SAPS and intelligence services in our country, despite the assurances they gave.”

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