Minister Fritz writes to Provincial Commissioner on St Helena Bay protests | Western Cape Government

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Minister Fritz writes to Provincial Commissioner on St Helena Bay protests

6 August 2020

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, is concerned over reported violent protest action in St Helena Bay and has written to the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata, requesting that urgent clarity be provided on the matter.

Residents have taken to social media, highlighting that there are no access routes in and out of the area and that tensions are escalating. It is reported that the situation remains volatile and is ongoing since Friday, 31 July 2020. While there are safety and security officials are on the ground to defuse the situation, Minister Fritz is concerned that the situation has not yet been stabilised.

Minister Fritz said, “I have written to Lieutenant General Matakata and requested clarity on the nature of the protest action, public violence and damage to property in St Helena Bay; the steps being taken to abate this; and the number of arrests made to date, amongst others. I call on residents to remain calm. Acts of public violence will not be tolerated.”

Minister Fritz continued, “I have further expressed my concern to Lieutenant General Matakata over the shooting of an 11-year-old boy in St Helena Bay who was shot in the head amidst crossfires, reportedly by SAPS, and requested clarity in terms of the circumstances surrounding this shooting. I welcome the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) investigation into this matter.”

Anyone with information on the ongoing protest action is advised to come forward and report such to the SAPS. This can be done by visiting your local SAPS station, calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or using the “tip-off” function of the MySaps cellphone application.

Attention broadcasters, English audio clip available here: https://clyp.it/iet1014l

Media Enquiries: 

Cayla Ann Tomás Murray
Spokesperson for Minister Albert Fritz
Tel: 021 483 8550
Cell: 064 121 7959
Email: Cayla.murray@westerncape.gov.za