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Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, says the deployment of the South African National Defence Force has been prioritised for hot spot areas of the province.
He was speaking late on Monday in East London following a day in which shots were fired at police in Mthatha after disgruntled taxi operators used trucks to blockade roads and over 100 voting stations could not open.
Mabuyane said the burning of trucks, and looting of goods “hampers the economic life of the province” and was strongly condemned by the Provincial Government.
“To salvage the situation, I have engaged both the Ministers of Police and Defence, as such, there has been an increased deployment of law enforcement agencies on the ground.
“The deployment of the South African Defence Force has also been prioritised to (hot spot) areas in the province including Mthatha,” he said.
Mabuyane said the killing of three taxi owners last week is also under investigation following multiple shooting incidents in the areas of Ugie, Maclear, and Mthatha.
“We commend the swift arrests made by SAPS and strongly send a warning to those found to be inciting violence in the province. The Provincial Government had to implement immediate action to restore peace and order in all the affected areas,” the Premier said.
By late on Monday all the affected roads were reopened with law enforcement agencies deployed to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, five men arrested in Mthatha following a shootout with police in which two men were wounded, had allegedly threatened staff at Mthatha airport earlier forcing it to close out safety fears.
The Eastern Cape Transport Department said the airport “will cautiously resume its services” after flights, car rental, and other supporting services at the airport were suspended.
The suspension of services at the airport was hastened after a group of five balaclavas clad gunmen stormed the airport, threatening to burn it and ordering for its immediate closure.
