National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has dismissed reports suggesting that the South African Police Service (SAPS) approached the court to stop the March and March movement from holding demonstrations in eThekwini.
Speaking during a media briefing, Masemola said the police had not sought to prevent people from exercising their constitutional right to protest, march or express their views.
He explained that the purpose of approaching the court was to ensure that the law is respected when people exercise their right to demonstrate.
“We also wish to address the court order which the SAPS in KZN have undertaken. We have noted documents circulating on social media suggesting that police have approached court to stop people from marching. That is not correct,” Masemola said.
“You all know that protesting, marching, raising your feelings is guaranteed in terms of the Constitution. You can march peacefully and unarmed. The SAPS has approached the court to ensure that the law is respected when exercising the constitutional right to march,” he added.
Masemola’s comments follow the Durban High Court proceedings involving March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, her husband and lawyer Xolani Zuma, and other respondents.
The court subsequently imposed conditions on the movement’s demonstrations, including restrictions on marching times, designated routes and the carrying of potentially dangerous objects.
The police have maintained that their intervention was intended to ensure that demonstrations take place peacefully and within the law.
