APA-Pretoria (South Africa) The South African Police Service arrested over 550 people for various crimes during Monday’s opposition-led protest, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) confirmed on Tuesday.
The national shutdown was called by the second opposition Economic Freedom Fighters to demand President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down from office for his alleged poor handling of the economy, especially the energy crisis with its constant blackouts and high unemployment among the youth.
“The South African Police Services arrested more than 550 protestors for, among others, public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft and attempted looting,” NATJOINTS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said.
She said Gauteng province recorded the highest number of arrests, with 149, followed by the Northern Cape (95), the Eastern Cape (80)and the Free State (64).
“The number of used tyres that were confiscated throughout the country remains at 24,300. These were tyres that were strategically placed for acts of criminality,” she said.
The official said the NATJOINTS appreciated that the protests proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner in Pretoria, while in the rest of the country, those who were found to be contravening the law were dealt with accordingly – within the ambit of the law.
Over 3,000 troops from the South African Defence Forces were deployed to assist the various security agencies.
NM/jn/APA