Minister Plato Condemns Ses’khona’s Public Incitement of Violence

Media Release by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I strongly condemn the incitement of violence towards the police made yesterday by the Ses’khona’s leadership. Reports today indicate that Mr Loyiso Nkohla called upon members of Ses’khona to “fight” the police.

This is not the first time Ses’khona has called on people to break the law. They have also previously encouraged land invasions and the looting of street vendors. This incitement of violence and anarchy cannot be allowed in our democracy.

The latest statements by Ses’khona against the South African Police Service (SAPS) cannot be tolerated. I call on the communities of the Western Cape to support the work of the SAPS who often put their lives on the line to protect citizens and make our communities safer.

The police are also required to ensure the safety of citizens who are using their constitutional right to protest peacefully. However, it is clear from the past violence and destruction committed by protestors lead by Ses’khona that the organisation has no interest in abiding by the law or ensuring the safety of our communities.

As a movement that is allegedly based on the promotion of people’s rights, the organisation should know that their freedom of expression does not extend to the incitement of violence, especially violence being perpetrated against the police who are merely doing their jobs and protecting citizens and public property.

The Western Cape Government calls on Ses’khona’s leadership to retract their statements and to start respecting the Constitution and the Rule of Law.