Police on High Alert Amid Social Media Threats of a National Shutdown on Friday, Looting Concerns Raised

• Multiple social media threats of a national shutdown scheduled for Friday, 10 June has the police on high alert
• The countrywide protest is expected to address the high fuel prices, however, police are concerned that the protest may be hijacked
• South Africans are not enthused with police being on high alert, saying the cops should have been on high alert after the crime stats were released

JOHANNESBURG - The SA Police National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) issued a statement on Thursday, 9 June saying they are aware of social media rumblings about a national shutdown expected to take place on Friday.

SAPS state that the police will be on high alert and will monitor the situation to deploy officers in an effort to combat any forms of criminal activity across the country.

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According to News24, the police say they have been paying attention to the social media messages alluding to country wide protest on Friday, 10 June. The protest is believed to be about the recent increase in fuel prices that has also resulted in the increase in goods.

The protest has been linked to various organisations such as the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (Cosatu) and Santaco, however, these organisations have denied being involved in the national shutdown.

IOL reports that there are also concerns that the national shutdown could be hijacked by people who are upset about the farm theft scandal surrounding President Cyril Ramaphosa and could be used as an opportunity to loot and destroy property.

South Africans weigh in

@MakaraVannesa said:

"They should be on high alert at the border. They aren’t alert to things that concern them. But I’m not surprised they’re not bothered by petrol hike akere bona ba berekisa koloi tsa mereko."

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@msibisks said:

"People will definitely take advantage of every movement for looting- remember we have a huge population doing nothing. Some of them are untraceable because of obvious reasons. So taking advantage of their anonymity to the system plus domestic problems aligning- looting happens."

@dadarosky said:

"But not on high alert for crimes happening every day."

@Biggie_rakoma said:

"These guys are only on high alert when we as citizens stand up for ourselves… rest of the time they’re chilling."

@JohnBen35701096 said:

"I thought after the crime stats they would be on high alert."

EFF warns of national shutdown over high fuel prices, government is sleepwalking into disaster

Briefly News previously reported that the EFF is pursuing a possible national shutdown on 10 June if the government does not act to alleviate the pressure on consumers as the fuel price is set to rise again.

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EFF warns of national shutdown over high fuel prices, government is sleepwalking into disaster

From Wednesday, 1 June, motorists have been paying R2.43 more per litre of 93 octane fuel and R2.33 for 95 octane. Diesel will rise by R1.11 and illuminating paraffin will increase by R1.56.

Motorists filling up with 95 unleaded will have to cough up R24.17 per litre which means it costs just under R100 for four litres of petrol.

Source: Briefly News