By Elijah Mhlanga
Spokesperson for Gauteng Provincial Government
The Gauteng Provincial Government denounces and deeply condemns the malicious and seemingly coordinated acts of vandalism targeting the recently revamped public infrastructure around the City of Johannesburg on the eve of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
These mischievous and cowardly acts of vandalism, which include the destruction of newly installed G20 Summit signage near Nasrec by reported armed assailants and the damage to streetlights and traffic signals along the R55 route, represent a direct assault on our nation and its standing in the world.
This is not petty crime, but it’s a deliberate and malicious campaign of
sabotage, designed to undermine and tarnish the image of our province and country as we prepare to welcome global leaders.
These inexcusable and vindictive actions are aligned and designed to consolidate the work of smear merchants who are promoting outlandish conspiracy theories and a certain negative narrative about the country.
The provincial government views this criminality in a serious light and will
respond accordingly.
We remind the perpetrators that this deliberate destruction of essential
infrastructure is a severe criminal offence under the Criminal Matters
Amendment Act of 2015, which specifically protects such assets, and the perpetrators face the prospect of imprisonment for up to 30 years.
Additionally, anyone discovered in possession of stolen infrastructure
material will be assumed guilty and have to prove their innocence due to reverse onus clauses.
The full and unrelenting might of the law will be brought to bear on all those found to be responsible.
“We are aware that some roguish elements are mobilising to cause chaos, and we are working in full cooperation with all national security structures.
We have directed our law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.
We will identify, apprehend, and fully prosecute the perpetrators of this sabotage to the full extent of the law,” said Premier Lesufi.
The Gauteng province is ready, capable, and proud to host this landmark event, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and successful G20 Leaders’ Summit that showcases the best of South Africa.
We will not allow the desperate actions of a few to jeopardise this critical
national opportunity.
Our message is clear: there will be zero tolerance for any disruption or sabotaging of the G20 Summit, and any attempts will be met with a swift, decisive response.
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