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President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation later today, Monday, 12 July 2021, on the government’s response to persistent public violence in parts of the country.
The exact time of the President’s address is still to be announced.
The address follows the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announcing it has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).
The request entails SANDF support for police operations in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. In terms of Section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution, the President may authorise the deployment of the national defence force in cooperation with the police service and must inform Parliament of such employment.
The President is on record calling for calm and warning criminal elements that they will face the full might of law as lawlessness is brought to an end and economic activity is allowed to continue. The majority of South Africans do not and should not tolerate violence, property destruction, and the endangering of livelihoods. People are urged to report criminals by sharing videos of criminal activity with the police.
People are urged to be cautious of what they post on social media and be aware that sharing fake news or content that incites violence and looting is a crime.
It is also a crime to possess, receive and use stolen goods, or interfere with the police in executing their duties.
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