The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Province is aware of the voice note doing the rounds on social media platforms calling for “shutdown” at Ikageng Township outside Potchefstroom.

The voice note among others, states that all entrances at Ikageng will be closed and urges all workers not to go to work.

The SAPS would like to request parents, community leaders and residents of Ikageng to ignore this message, ensure that legitimate concerns are not hijacked and that children are not used. While it is accepted that residents have constitutional rights including the right to peacefully picket, protest and present petitions, shutdowns by nature are unlawful and cannot be tolerated.

It is our responsibility as the law enforcement to ensure that rights of law abiding citizens are neither infringed nor denied to anyone who is doing so within the ambit of the law.

Barricading of roads, damage to property and other unlawful actions including inciting others to break the law, regardless of how legitimate
their concerns are, will not be tolerated. We therefore request all law abiding residents of Ikageng Township to reject and report those who seek to incite lawlessness to spread fear, panic and threaten peaceful co-existence, which are intended to undermine the authority of the State.

The SAPS will not hesitate to take action against anyone who disrespect the rule of law.

Source : South African Police Service