DA condemns SAPS inaction outside Bloemfontein courts

19 February 2021

Note to Editors: Please find the attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL, Leader of the Opposition in the Free State.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with contempt the inaction of the South African Police Services (SAPS) outside the Bloemfontein courts today. As the face of government throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, SAPS are implementing two sets of rules with the implementation of regulations. ANC supporters of the factional warlord Ace Magashule arrogantly defy government lockdown regulations with impunity in the Free State province, while other citizens are subjected to bullying and abuse.

In January this year, the SAPS used water cannons outside South African Social Services (SASSA) offices in Bellville during a visit there by Minister Lindiwe Zulu. Vulnerable and frail people, some of whom were on crutches, were dispersed by SAPS water cannons for allegedly not applying social distancing in the long queues. Normal citizens were intimidated by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the SAPS who patrolled beaches with automatic firearms to enforce lockdown regulations.

Today, in front of the courts in Bloemfontein large numbers of ANC supporters of the Magashule faction blatantly defy lockdown regulations relating to the ban on all political meetings, social distancing and the wearing of masks in public. This is done in front of the SAPS who appear unwilling or afraid to take action against them. It is clear for the whole country to see that government Covid-19 regulations only apply to people who do not wear ANC branded clothing or uMkhoto we Sizwe camouflage uniforms.

This is another example of the selective implementation of the law by a factionalised hypocritical ANC-led government that is afraid of its own ANC factions who are outside of government. The ANC-led government are keen to abuse the weak and vulnerable, while cowering in face of puerile delinquents who blatantly and visibly defy the law.

The DA will question the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Sam Mashinini, in the Free State Legislature on whether he has raised the blatant defiance of the law in the Free State with the SAPS and Minister Bheki Cele.

The DA condemns the ANC for turning our Bloemfontein streets into factional war zones. The unwillingness of the SAPS to implement lockdown regulations against ANC supporters is a further example of how South Africa has degenerated into a weak state under the current government.

Issued by Roy Jankielsohn, Leader of the Opposition in the Free State, 19 February 2021