Tshwane mayor Solly Msimang has slammed the disorderly conduct of his party’s bedfellows in council‚ the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)‚ during its march through the capital on Wednesday‚ vowing to tighten city by-laws in a bid to prevent a repeat.
The party’s Day of Action march to call for President Jacob Zuma’s resignation was marred by looting‚ vandalism‚ intimidation and violence that resulted in police investigating illegal gathering and alleged incitement by leaders.
The irked mayor said the Tshwane Metro Police Department’s approval of the march came with an approved route and guidelines‚ which the EFF defied.
The party was granted permission to march from the Church Square to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court but several groups marched throughout the city and ended up outside the Union Buildings where police clashed with protesters trying to gain entry.
“When we approved their request for the march‚ there were guidelines that were given on where they could march and what was allowed and what was not allowed. We do take exception to what happened and we are going to take it up with the (organisation) relevant leadership‚” he said.
Msimang said what happened bordered on illegality and that he was going to propose to council that by-laws and policies regulating gatherings be strengthened so that organisations or individuals were held responsible for any kind of damage as a result of march or protest approved in their name.
“It is something we can take to council and try to strengthen by-laws‚ give them teeth so that we can act against people who participate in things like this‚” he said.
Speaking after taking part in the clean-up yesterday‚ Msimang said the cost of damage caused during the march ran into millions of rands and resources had to be taken from other areas of the city’s functions to clean up the mess.
Acting police commissioner‚ Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ said 28 arrests were made and more arrests in relation to various charges such as malicious damage to property‚ public violence‚ burglary and assault were likely as 35 cases were being investigated.
He said two police officers were injured‚ with one‚ a captain‚ having undergone on surgery after he was hit in the face with a bottle.
“These unfortunate incidents‚ which resulted in members of the service being injured‚ are regrettable and must be condemned by all of us‚” he said.
EFF acting spokesperson‚ Fana Mokoena‚ could not be reached for comment. — TMG Digital
Tshwane Mayor slates disorderly protests‚ vows to tighten by-laws
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimang has slammed the disorderly conduct of his party’s bedfellows in council‚ the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)‚ during its march through the capital on Wednesday‚ vowing to tighten city by-laws in a bid to prevent a repeat.
The party’s Day of Action march to call for President Jacob Zuma’s resignation was marred by looting‚ vandalism‚ intimidation and violence that resulted in police investigating illegal gathering and alleged incitement by leaders.
The irked mayor said the Tshwane Metro Police Department’s approval of the march came with an approved route and guidelines‚ which the EFF defied.
The party was granted permission to march from the Church Square to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court but several groups marched throughout the city and ended up outside the Union Buildings where police clashed with protesters trying to gain entry.
“When we approved their request for the march‚ there were guidelines that were given on where they could march and what was allowed and what was not allowed. We do take exception to what happened and we are going to take it up with the (organisation) relevant leadership‚” he said.
Msimang said what happened bordered on illegality and that he was going to propose to council that by-laws and policies regulating gatherings be strengthened so that organisations or individuals were held responsible for any kind of damage as a result of march or protest approved in their name.
“It is something we can take to council and try to strengthen by-laws‚ give them teeth so that we can act against people who participate in things like this‚” he said.
Speaking after taking part in the clean-up yesterday‚ Msimang said the cost of damage caused during the march ran into millions of rands and resources had to be taken from other areas of the city’s functions to clean up the mess.
Acting police commissioner‚ Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ said 28 arrests were made and more arrests in relation to various charges such as malicious damage to property‚ public violence‚ burglary and assault were likely as 35 cases were being investigated.
He said two police officers were injured‚ with one‚ a captain‚ having undergone on surgery after he was hit in the face with a bottle.
“These unfortunate incidents‚ which resulted in members of the service being injured‚ are regrettable and must be condemned by all of us‚” he said.
EFF acting spokesperson‚ Fana Mokoena‚ could not be reached for comment. — TMG Digital
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