Supplied
Police and military top brass were in Mthatha on Tuesday to oversee the deployment of law enforcement agencies and soldiers to ensure the smooth running of the elections.
National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola and the Chief of the Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, travelled to Mthatha, as police reinforcements were also brought in.
SAPS beefed up its numbers in the Mthatha area following Monday’s mayhem caused by a blockade of the town by disgruntled taxi operators caught up in a recent cycle of violence.
Police were involved in a shootout with suspects who had reportedly intimidated staff at Mthatha Airport forcing it to close for the day.
Two suspects were wounded and five people arrested following that incident.
The day was also marred by looting of trucks used to blockade roads, including a truck carrying EFF T-shirts and the party’s voter’s roll.
Police said on Tuesday that the situation was under control adding that a total of 15 people were arrested.
Meanwhile, SAPS said General Masemola and General Maphwanya were expected to visit and monitor deployments in the area.
“Additional police officers have been deployed to Mthatha to reinforce law enforcement agency deployments that are in place to ensure elections take place in a safe and secure environment,” said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
#sapsHQ [HAPPENING NOW] The National Commissioner of the #SAPS, General Fannie Masemola together with Chief of the Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya have arrived in Mthatha where they are expected to visit and monitor deployments in the area. Additional Police Officers… pic.twitter.com/wheFUomdEM
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) May 28, 2024
