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The rights of thousands of Gauteng commuters have today been infringed upon on the N1 due to an unlawful protest by EFF supporters.

EFF supporters unlawfully formed a red chain on the N1 highway, to block thousands of commuters getting to work and from work on a national freeway.

The constitution makes provisions for assembly, demonstration and picketing in a peaceful manner that is not harmful to any other group.

However, this picket did not only infringe on the rights to freedom of movement of commuters in terms of the constitution but also is a clear contravention of the Gatherings Act of 1993.
Police and Traffic Departments have a duty to protect the rights of commuters and are empowered to regulate the protest.

They further have a duty to ensure that traffic is not disrupted and to intervene and stop protestors from causing disruptions in contravention of any regulation.

Protestors who are in contravention may and should be arrested.

In this instance, the Police and Traffic Departments failed to act and stop the protest from proceeding.

The Gauteng Community Safety MEC, Faith Mazibuko should act immediately against the officers who failed to ensure that law and order were maintained and managed.

Their failure to uphold law and order deserves disciplinary and possible dismissal action.

The DA demands that MEC Mazibuko must deploy 24-hour traffic police on our highways, to prevent criminal actions on our national and provincial roads.

Our country is amid various political turmoil, the MEC, Police and Traffic Police Commission should work together to ensure that a 24-hour traffic police service is rolled out immediately to ensure fewer traffic disruptions as well as the safety and security of all residents.

Issued by DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch MPL