TSHWANE, April 6 (ANA) – Acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane appeared overtaken by rapidly unfolding events relating to the Save SA protest march – dubbed the People’s March – on Thursday evening, as he maintained part of it was illegal after a court ordered the ban lifted.
On Thursday night, Phahlane addressed a media briefing, where he repeatedly emphasised that the Pretoria leg of the scheduled national protests against President Jacob Zuma, was not approved and it would be illegal.
“The South African Police Service deemed it fit to place it on record that the marches planned in and around the city of Tshwane are for all practical purposes illegal. The organisers of the respective marches and or protest action failed to secure approval from the relevant authorities,” Phahlane addressed journalists.
“All these marches and protest actions are considered illegal and anyone participating in such, will be contravening the laws of our country.”
As Phahlane continued with the briefing, journalists started updating him regarding the court action taken by Save SA activists, and that the Pretoria’s chief magistrate had overturned the Tshwane Metro Police’s refusal of the protest march.
Phahlane was also informed, during his media briefing that Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga was supporting the march.
“It’s immaterial whether we are dealing with an illegal or illegal march. We are saying to you, as the SAPS we are going to be policing that event. Your grievances on whether it was approved or not, must be directed elsewhere. We are going to be policing whichever march or protest action taking place tomorrow,” said Phahlane.
“As we are sitting here, we don’t have approval for any of the marches or protest action planned for Tshwane. So if there is rumours circulating that there is approval, it remains rumours until we are provided with something concrete.”
The court order, granting permission for the march was already trending on social networks. One journalist handed her tablet to Phalane’s staff so that they could show him.
Phahlane said he had come to brief the nation on the non-compliance of the Save SA activists to meet the requirements for a legal protest march.
“On our records we have a non-compliant application. Now, you have a scoop. You are saying to us it comes out of court. We are going to interface with that document [the court order] and we’re going to use that to advise our operational people accordingly. It’s not my responsibility to mobilise the people,” said Phahlane.
In the meanwhile, the presidency issued a statement saying there were reports that Zuma was against the march but this was not correct.
– African News Agency (ANA)
