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NATJOINTS update as at 22:00 on 20 March 2023: At least 550 arrested for various crimes ranging from public violence to intimidation

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) is satisfied with the manner in which the integrated law enforcement deployments have exercised their authority in ensuring law and order in the country thus far.
 
Through its respective Provjoints across the country, the Natjoints working closely with various stakeholders in the security Cluster, has ensured maximum mobilisation of resources to heighten police visibility with a view of preventing acts of lawlessness and criminality.
 
The Natjoints is therefore pleased to report that it has delivered on its promise to the inhabitants of this country, in ensuring that the measures that are in place enabled businesses and services to operate with minimum incidents of criminality reported throughout the country.
 
Through intelligence driven operations, the swift response by members of the South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to pockets of opportunistic criminality is commended. The secondary support role of the South African National Defence Force in assisting the work of the police by protecting critical infrastructure such as ports of entry, toll roads, and harbours has also yielded positive results. The role of private security in the sharing of resources and as a force multiplier on the ground also played a major role in ensuring that law enforcement visibility is heightened. Through the SAPS E2 (eyes and ears) project, the security industry made resources and tools of trade available to law enforcement.
 
Members of the Community Police Forums (CPF), neighbourhood watches and other community structures are also commended for their supportive role. The transport sector, especially the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and National Taxi Alliance (NTI)are commended.
 
The Natjoints takes this opportunity to appreciate the protest that proceeded in a peaceful and orderly manner in Pretoria. In the rest of the country, those who were found to be contravening the law were dealt with accordingly, within the ambit of the law.
 
The Natjoints has at 22:00 on, 20 March 2023, arrested more than 550 protestors for amongst others public violence, intimidation, damage to critical infrastructure, theft and attempted looting.
 
In those arrested, Gauteng recorded the highest number of arrests with 149, the Northern Cape  recorded the second highest number with 95 arrests, the Eastern Cape also saw 80 protestors arrested, followed by Free State with 64 arrests.
 
The number of tyres that were confiscated throughout the country remains at 24 300. These were tyres that were strategically placed for acts of criminality.
 
In conclusion, the Natjoints wishes to thank various stakeholders from members of the public and the business fraternity for working together with law enforcement to uphold and enforce the law.
 
To this end, law enforcement deployments will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the country. Communities are encouraged to continue to report any wrongdoing and suspicious activities to their nearest police station or call the crime stop number on 0860010111.
 

Issued by The South African Police Service