Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police acting chairperson Nocks Seabi is appealing to the South African Police Services (Saps) to increase visibility in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

This comes as a result of the violence associated with a taxi strike in Cape Town and illegal mining operations in Johannesburg.

Seabi has raised concerns over the negative consequences the violence associated with the taxi strike may have on the transport industry. He cited the burning and stoning of vehicles, as well the blocking of roads, as serious impediments to economic growth.

“Heightened police visibility in Cape Town will go a long way in ensuring adherence to the rule of law on one hand while protecting the right to protest as enshrined by the Constitution. While we welcome assurances given by the police, it is critically important that the right to protest does not infringe on the civil rights of those who choose not to protest,” he said.

Seabi has called on protesters to raise objections within the confines of the law and has requested Saps to arrest those who continue to carry out illegal acts.

Regarding Johannesburg, the chairperson noted the “complex challenges” surrounding illegal mining and called for a “multisectoral, intelligence-led operation” that addresses these problems.

“Above all, Saps must ensure the arrest of syndicates operating in the environment to ensure that this form of illegality is uprooted,” Seabi said.