NATJOINTS warns anyone seeking to disrupt SADC summit will face the law

Durban is under heightened security as the city prepares to host the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, and the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has warned that any attempt to disrupt the event will be met with lawful action.

Clear warning from NATJOINTS

Addressing the media in Durban, NATJOINTS chair Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili who is identified as the Deputy National Commissioner for Policing in the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the disruption of the 46th SADC Ordinary Summit will not be allowed.

“Let me be unequivocal: the disruption of the 46th SADC Ordinary Summit will not be allowed,”

Mosikili said that people retain a constitutional right to protest peacefully, but that right does not extend to criminal acts, intimidation, property damage or disrupting the international event. She added that anyone who crossed the line into criminality or threatened safety would face the consequences of the law.

“The security forces will respond decisively, proportionately and within the law to any threat to public safety and security,”

Security preparations already underway

Mosikili said NATJOINTS operations for the summit began on August 3, with build-up meetings, side events and other activities already taking place. She reported that no security incidents or disruptions have been reported in connection with those activities, and described the security apparatus as “equal to the task.”

She said specialised units and intelligence structures are deployed across Durban, and that law enforcement and security agencies were continuously assessing the security environment to identify, prevent and respond to potential threats. The security deployment, she said, extends beyond the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) to include accommodation, routes, side events, public spaces and other areas where delegates and visitors are expected to be present.

Arrivals, accreditation and crowd plans

Mosikili said ministers and other high-level delegations from SADC member states were expected to begin arriving from Wednesday, with the 12 Heads of State and Government expected later in the week.

She warned that accreditation for the summit would be strictly controlled and not transferable. Mosikili said a Zimbabwean foreign national had been arrested after allegedly attempting to obtain accreditation by presenting himself as a performing artist and failing to produce valid documentation.

“No accreditation, no access,”

“There will be no exchanging, lending, borrowing or sharing of valid accreditation between individuals,”

She said anyone found attempting to circumvent accreditation procedures would be removed from controlled areas and could face legal action.

Public guidance and operational approach

Mosikili described the security approach as proactive, with the maximum available resources placed on standby and deployed including intelligence, crime prevention, public order policing, traffic management and other specialised capabilities. She said all security agencies are working together under the NATJOINTS framework.

The chairperson urged members of the public without authorised access to stay away from the Durban ICC and not to attempt to enter controlled areas. She said the city would communicate information about road closures and traffic disruptions around the ICC and that temporary closures would take place when Heads of State were transported between venues.

“These closures are necessary security measures,”

Mosikili also urged motorists to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, to allow sufficient travelling time and to check weather information and advisories from the South African Weather Service.

Assurance and vigilance

While saying NATJOINTS has a record of securing major events and expressing confidence that the summit would take place in a safe environment, Mosikili stressed that security structures remain vigilant and ready to respond.

“We remain vigilant. We remain alert. We remain ready to respond to any threat,”

She called on Durban residents to welcome delegates with “the warmth, hospitality and Ubuntu that South Africa is known for” and on the public to cooperate with law enforcement and follow official traffic and security instructions.

“Our message to those attending the Summit is simple: you are safe in South Africa,”

“We are ready. We are watching. We will act,”