President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the release to the public of the report of the expert panel appointed in August 2021 to review government’s response to the July 2021 unrest.

The President appointed the panel following a spate of orchestrated public violence, destruction and sabotage in July 2021.

The President tasked the panel to lead a thorough and critical review of the security services’  preparedness for the July events. The panel was mandated to examine all aspects of the security response and to make recommendations on how to strengthen security capabilities.

The members of the panel were Prof Sandy Africa, as chair, Adv Mojanku Gumbi and Mr Silumko Sokupa.

The President tabled the report of the expert panel at a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday, 4 February 2022.

The Council, which is chaired by the President, welcomed the report and the insights it provides on the work of and challenges faced by security services, law enforcement agencies and relevant organs of state.

President Ramaphosa will, in his State of Nation Address on Thursday, 10 February 2022, outline the first actions government will take in response to the findings and recommendations of the report. Further actions will be announced in due course.

Source: Government of South Africa