No intelligence alert on July riots, says KZN premier
Premier told the SAHRC hearings into the July riots and looting that provincial government was not forewarned by intelligence structures
26 November 2021 - 12:51
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Premier Sihle Zikalala said the KwaZulu-Natal government relied on social and mainstream media for updates about the unrest and looting in July. Picture: SANDILE NDLOVU
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government was not forewarned by intelligence structures about impending unrest and it relied on social and mainstream media for updates during the July riots and looting, premier Sihle Zikalala said. .
“There was no information received from any intelligence structure indicating the need to prepare for the unrest,” Zikalala told the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) hearings into the July riots and looting on Friday.
“No briefing was done to warn the province about the impending looting. There was nothing provided to us. We, too, relied on social and mainstream media for updates,” he said. “There was nothing from intelligence.”
When threats of unrest were doing the rounds, Zikalala said government had held a conference on matters related to Covid-19.
“We discussed how we would deal with the situation at Nkandla,” he said..
“We were not forewarned of any threat except what we saw on social media.” Zikalala said. “We engaged the chairperson of the security cluster and the minister of police. We responded through the media by discouraging people from holding public gatherings.”
The premier, in his capacity as head of the ANC in the province, met former president Jacob Zuma about possible threats of unrest before Zuma was sent to prison.
“We engaged him on this issue and said as leaders we must ensure there is no bloodbath.”
Zikalala said he believed the police and other agencies within the security cluster should have done something to avoid the unrest. He described it as one of the most of embarrassing moments in the history of the country.
Asked to describe the relationship between the police and communities in KwaZulu-Natal, Zikalala said it was not what it should be.
“It should be improved. Structures are in place, but the relationship is yet to translate to meaningful progress. The province needs to improve.”
The relationship, he said, was hindered by a lack of resources.
Zikalala conceded the province had a history of violence.
“The economic imbalance that affects the province creates fertile ground for violence and we need to deal with that.”
He said the provincial government would erect a monument of peace in Phoenix, with the names of all those who died in the unrest. The government would also establish a peace garden in the area.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
No intelligence alert on July riots, says KZN premier
Premier told the SAHRC hearings into the July riots and looting that provincial government was not forewarned by intelligence structures
The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government was not forewarned by intelligence structures about impending unrest and it relied on social and mainstream media for updates during the July riots and looting, premier Sihle Zikalala said. .
“There was no information received from any intelligence structure indicating the need to prepare for the unrest,” Zikalala told the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) hearings into the July riots and looting on Friday.
“No briefing was done to warn the province about the impending looting. There was nothing provided to us. We, too, relied on social and mainstream media for updates,” he said. “There was nothing from intelligence.”
When threats of unrest were doing the rounds, Zikalala said government had held a conference on matters related to Covid-19.
“We discussed how we would deal with the situation at Nkandla,” he said..
“We were not forewarned of any threat except what we saw on social media.” Zikalala said. “We engaged the chairperson of the security cluster and the minister of police. We responded through the media by discouraging people from holding public gatherings.”
The premier, in his capacity as head of the ANC in the province, met former president Jacob Zuma about possible threats of unrest before Zuma was sent to prison.
“We engaged him on this issue and said as leaders we must ensure there is no bloodbath.”
Zikalala said he believed the police and other agencies within the security cluster should have done something to avoid the unrest. He described it as one of the most of embarrassing moments in the history of the country.
Asked to describe the relationship between the police and communities in KwaZulu-Natal, Zikalala said it was not what it should be.
“It should be improved. Structures are in place, but the relationship is yet to translate to meaningful progress. The province needs to improve.”
The relationship, he said, was hindered by a lack of resources.
Zikalala conceded the province had a history of violence.
“The economic imbalance that affects the province creates fertile ground for violence and we need to deal with that.”
He said the provincial government would erect a monument of peace in Phoenix, with the names of all those who died in the unrest. The government would also establish a peace garden in the area.
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