Police were deployed to potential hotspots in KwaZulu-Natal following threats on social media of renewed protest action and burning of buildings.
eThekwini metro police spokesman Superintendent Sbonelo Mchunu said over 30 members were deployed to various areas since Wednesday night.
“They have been patrolling areas‚ especially the hotspots such as Chris Hani Road‚ Sea Cow Lake‚ Kenville‚ Umlazi‚ Lamontville and Tongaat. The situation is calm. There is no need for the army as police are dealing with it‚” said Mchunu.
There were visible policing in the areas on Thursday morning‚ but there were no reported incidents.
Warning messages circulated on social media on Wednesday night of threats to burn down buildings‚ citing a clinic and school in Kenville as being at risk. There were also claims that freeways would be a definite target‚ as well as protest action from the old airport on the south coast to Amanzimtoti.
According to the message‚ the writer said: “We’re deploying to this threat. Received from a person in Durban North. I just got a call from one of my suppliers (12 noon) in Springfield Park saying that their black staff had been notified not to come to work tomorrow and Friday ie: 9th and 10th because there is going to be a bigger protest and it would not be safe for them. Threats to burn down buildings etc. Clinic in Kenville and the Kenville School are at risk. This is scary. Please stay clear of the areas that were affected.”
On an electronic community watch group‚ Durban Crime n all‚ Andrew Pillay shared: “From intelligence sources: Very possible protest action tomorrow. From old airport to Toti.... freeways to be a definite target. Please share and be aware if travelling north tomorrow. ET RAPID RESPONSE.”
According to a resident in Sea Cow Lake‚ an army truck was seen stationed in Springfield Park through the night until the morning.
“Police vehicles were seen patrolling the residential and industrial area every few minutes‚” she said.
The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal could not immediately be reached for comment‚ but a regional leader confirmed that it was “deploying to this threat”.
Many parts of Durban were brought to a standstill on Monday when raging protesters blockaded the routes from the N2 and North coast road by burning cars and tyres.
Ethekwini officials said the protest was related to community grievances over councillor lists for upcoming local government elections.
Cops taking social media threats of violent protests seriously
Police were deployed to potential hotspots in KwaZulu-Natal following threats on social media of renewed protest action and burning of buildings.
eThekwini metro police spokesman Superintendent Sbonelo Mchunu said over 30 members were deployed to various areas since Wednesday night.
“They have been patrolling areas‚ especially the hotspots such as Chris Hani Road‚ Sea Cow Lake‚ Kenville‚ Umlazi‚ Lamontville and Tongaat. The situation is calm. There is no need for the army as police are dealing with it‚” said Mchunu.
There were visible policing in the areas on Thursday morning‚ but there were no reported incidents.
Warning messages circulated on social media on Wednesday night of threats to burn down buildings‚ citing a clinic and school in Kenville as being at risk. There were also claims that freeways would be a definite target‚ as well as protest action from the old airport on the south coast to Amanzimtoti.
According to the message‚ the writer said: “We’re deploying to this threat. Received from a person in Durban North. I just got a call from one of my suppliers (12 noon) in Springfield Park saying that their black staff had been notified not to come to work tomorrow and Friday ie: 9th and 10th because there is going to be a bigger protest and it would not be safe for them. Threats to burn down buildings etc. Clinic in Kenville and the Kenville School are at risk. This is scary. Please stay clear of the areas that were affected.”
On an electronic community watch group‚ Durban Crime n all‚ Andrew Pillay shared: “From intelligence sources: Very possible protest action tomorrow. From old airport to Toti.... freeways to be a definite target. Please share and be aware if travelling north tomorrow. ET RAPID RESPONSE.”
According to a resident in Sea Cow Lake‚ an army truck was seen stationed in Springfield Park through the night until the morning.
“Police vehicles were seen patrolling the residential and industrial area every few minutes‚” she said.
The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal could not immediately be reached for comment‚ but a regional leader confirmed that it was “deploying to this threat”.
Many parts of Durban were brought to a standstill on Monday when raging protesters blockaded the routes from the N2 and North coast road by burning cars and tyres.
Ethekwini officials said the protest was related to community grievances over councillor lists for upcoming local government elections.
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