Members of the South African Military line up ahead of the 2023 state-of-the-nation address (SONA) outside the Cape Town City Hall in Cape Town on February 9, 2023. (Photo by Rodger Bosch / POOL / AFP).
SONA 2024: No disruptions will be tolerated – NATJOINTS
The NATJOINTS says it is ready to prevent opportunistic crimes before and after the SONA and will not tolerate disruptions.
Members of the South African Military line up ahead of the 2023 state-of-the-nation address (SONA) outside the Cape Town City Hall in Cape Town on February 9, 2023. (Photo by Rodger Bosch / POOL / AFP).
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has ensured that all deployments are in place to ensure the State of the Nation Address (SONA) takes place in a peaceful, safe, and secure environment.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the SONA at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday, 8 February.
NATJOINTS READY TO HANDLE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THE SONA
The NATJOINTS coordinates all security and law enforcement operations throughout the country.
The NATJOINTS structure, which the SAPS, SSA, and SANDF lead, has been meeting regularly in the build-up to the SONA to ensure the plans that are in place will ensure the safety and security of participants, spectators, and communities living near the Cape Town City Hall and businesses operating in this vicinity.
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South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the operational plan is in place, and all critical role players are ready to execute their various responsibilities as per their mandate.
Mathe said all law enforcement agencies led by the SAPS had mobilised resources to heighten police visibility.
The aim is to prevent and combat opportunistic crimes before, during, and afterafter the planned address.
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NO LAWLESSNESS WILL BE TOLERATED
Mathe emphasised that those who are not accredited or authorised to attend the SONA should avoid the area around the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday, 8 February 2024.
“It is on that score that we urge the cooperation of those who will be in and around the vicinity of the Cape Town City Hall on the day. Any lawlessness, any form of criminality, and any behaviour that contravenes the law will be dealt with accordingly,” she said.
No disruptions will be allowed and tolerated by law enforcement.
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