Soldiers and police put the lid on Eastern Cape violence ahead of Election Day - defenceWeb

Source: defenceWeb

Mthatha headquartered 14 SA Infantry (SAI) Battalion was mobilised ahead of Election Day to assist police stopping violence and rioting in the Eastern Cape town.

The town, with an estimated population of 213 000 and capital of the now defunct Transkei, was plunged into violence on Monday with taxis and trucks stopped, looted and, in some instances, burnt. There were also reports of shots being fired. This saw provincial premier Oscar Mabuyane call for military assistance to strengthen the SA Police Service (SAPS) presence, which was also bolstered by police public order policing units.

SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and SAPS communication officers used social media to alert and inform residents - and the rest of South Africa - of developments.

Second Lieutenant Malihlangane Miya attached to the SANDF Joint Operations Division reported 14 SAI was tasked to secure Mthatha Airport. "The battalion worked purposefully to restore order and protect the facility from damage." Among those affected were SA Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) members stranded without transport on returning from a meeting. 14 SAI Acting Officer Commanding, Major Andile Binza, arranged temporary accommodation and food at the unit.

Ahead of the 14 SAI deployment, SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya and his SAPS counterpart, National Commissioner Genera Fannie Masemola, were in Mthatha monitoring developments including a briefing by the Eastern Cape Premier.

Reports, not confirmed by police or the SANDF, have it 15 people were arrested.