Minister Fritz welcomes 9 arrests for public violence amid protest action | Western Cape Government

News

Minister Fritz welcomes 9 arrests for public violence amid protest action

26 March 2021

The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes the nine arrests made on Thursday, 25 March 2021 and Wednesday, 24 March 2021, in connection with the spate of violent protest action seen in Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Delft and surrounds. Those arrested are being charged with public violence and are expected to appear in the Blue Downs magistrate’s court. 

On Thursday, seven arrests were made, of which six were in Delft and one was in Kraaifontein. On Wednesday, two arrests were made in Kraaifontein. The Court Watching Brief Unit will be requested to monitor these cases for any SAPS inefficiencies, resulting in the case being struck off the court roll. 

Minister Fritz said, “I welcome the arrests made as they send a strong message to anybody wishing to destabilise the province through violent protest action. Let me be clear that citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, whatever the issue may be but when these protest actions become a pretext for violence and blatant criminality they cannot then be hidden behind the notion of unhappiness with service delivery.”

Minister Fritz added, “In fact, based on information that we have received, the real intention behind these so-called service delivery protests is to destabilise communities, and are politically motivated. These actions actually halt the crucial services into those affected communities including sanitation, education, healthcare and transport which our citizens dependent on.” 

“The modus operandi is to wear SAPS’ resources thin by appearing sporadically in different locations. I was however pleased to hear this morning that all roads including the N2, Hindle Way, Mew Way and other affected roads were clear,” said Minister Fritz.

Minister Fritz added further, “Anyone with information on those reportedly perpetuating the violent protest action is asked to immediately come forward and report such to SAPS. You can do so by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111, reporting it to your local SAPS station or using the Tip Off function on the MySAPS cellphone application. We cannot allow the safety and stability of communities to be undermined by a few.” 

Media Enquiries: 

 

Cayla Ann Tomás Murray
Spokesperson for Minister Albert Fritz
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 064 121 7959
Email: Cayla.murray@westerncape.gov.za