Photo: Titter / David Thembe
Herman Mashaba on Joburg CBD riots: “Two wrongs don’t make a right”
Mashaba says without the proper regulations, there is nothing the JMPD can do in reaction to the Joburg CBD riots.
Photo: Titter / David Thembe
The events that took place at the Joburg CBD have sparked divisions between foreign nationals and South African citizens.
What happened at the Joburg CBD?
On Thursday, during a police raid led by SAPS task teams, with assistance from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), targeted Hillbrow, a part of the Joburg CBD that is mostly occupied by foreign nationals.
The objective, on the law enforcement’s part, was clear: Target illegal traders and confiscate any and all counterfeit goods.
This, however, did not go as planned. The heavy presence of law enforcement agencies in the Joburg CBD prompted a revolt and what people witnessed on social media left many dumbfounded.
Official from SARS injured during yesterday’s lawlessness in the Inner City. Why no arrest is beyond belief @SAPoliceService @CoJPublicSafety @AsktheChiefJMPD @MichaelSun168 pic.twitter.com/z0cUQ0p4mC
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) August 2, 2019
Scores of rioters were seen on multiple video footages pelting law enforcement agents with stones and other harmful objects, leaving the inner city in an absolute mess.
Mayor Mashaba says his hands are tied on this one
The mayor, in response to Thursday’s events at the Joburg CBD, stated that every single criminal that participated in the riots should be in jail right now.
“Being bold is not about breaking the law, because two wrongs cannot make a right. I don’t have the powers as the Metro to arrest these people, prosecute them and put them in the jail.
“The City of Johannesburg doesn’t have prosecutors, the City doesn’t have prisons and Home Affairs to process people to ensure that they are legally, so I don’t have those powers. If I can try and do that I’d be breaking the law and acting against the Constitution,” the mayor explained.
His counterpart, and Gauteng’s Premier, David Makhura, vowed to take harsh action against those who disgraced the SAPS.
“Some foreign nationals who sell counterfeit goods and occupy buildings illegally in the Joburg CBD attacked our police with bottles and petrol bombs. This despicable crime against our state will never be tolerated. #OkaeMolao will respond in full force to defend rule of law,” the Premier warned.
