ADDITIONAL police and prison cells have been made available to police during the World Conference Against Racism to deal with offenders who ignored the strict security rules in place for the conference at the end of the month.
KwaZulu-Natal police representative Director Bala Naidoo said a special court has also been established by the Justice Department to deal quickly with any criminal matters.
Police have warned that they would not tolerate any unlawful conduct by any of the groups attending the conference between August 31 and September 7.
“All security personnel deployed for the conference will be briefed not to accept any unlawful conduct, and to prosecute offenders.
Provision has been made for additional police and prison cells to be made available to cope with any unexpected needs,” Naidoo said.
Marches planned
He confirmed police have already received a number of applications for permission to hold demonstrations and marches.
These included applications from the Swaziland Solidarity Network, the SA NGO Coalition, the Congress of SA Trade Unions and the Tamil Coordinating Committee of South Africa, which represents liberation fighters in Sri Lanka.
“These applications are being dealt with by the joint planning committee and where necessary the committee will enter into consultations with the respective organisations to ensure that demonstrations and marches are conducted within… the law,” Naidoo said.
No persons or organisations would be allowed to demonstrate or march unless permission has been granted in terms of the Gatherings Act.
The three South African intelligence agencies have also been jointly tasked to monitor individuals and organisations that have a history of causing disruptions and perpetrating violence.
“At this stage there is nothing to indicate potential trouble,” Naidoo said. Police also warned that demonstrations would affect traffic in the city centre, and the public were requested to make use of lift clubs during the conference to ease traffic congestion.
Traffic officers will be placed at each major intersection. The streets adjoining the ICC will be closed to pedestrians and traffic. Only people with official WCAR accreditation will be allowed into the area. – Sapa
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