Three people have been arrested over separate attempts to gain unauthorised access to the venue of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) said two Congolese nationals were arrested on Saturday after allegedly presenting accreditation issued to someone else. Security officials stopped the pair at an access-control point after their identities did not match the accreditation documents.
The two suspects face charges of fraud, impersonation and contravening the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010. The legislation relates to entering a designated area without the required authorisation. Their identities and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempt remain under investigation.
SADC Summit Security Leads To Two Arrests In Durban
NatJoints said the two Congolese nationals were immediately arrested after the accreditation discrepancy was detected. Authorities are investigating how the accreditation came into their possession and the circumstances surrounding their attempted entry. The arrests form part of security operations around the summit venue.
Earlier this week, a Zimbabwean national was also arrested after allegedly attempting to obtain SADC accreditation by claiming to be a performing artist.
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According to NatJoints, the individual allegedly intended to use the accreditation to gain access to the summit venue. The Zimbabwean national faces a charge relating to being illegally in South Africa.
NatJoints has warned that the exchanging, lending, sharing, falsification or misuse of SADC accreditation will not be allowed. It also warned against any attempt to enter the summit venue without the required authorisation. The security structure said its measures are intended to prevent attempts to compromise the event.
“No person should attempt to test the security arrangements around the summit. Security measures implemented by NatJoints are comprehensive and designed to detect and prevent attempts to compromise the safety and security of delegates, Heads of State, government officials, accredited participants and members of the public,” said NatJoints.
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Meanwhile, anti-illegal migration groups, including the March and March movement, are reportedly planning demonstrations outside the International Convention Centre (ICC). The groups are calling on regional leaders to address undocumented migration. Security and law-enforcement arrangements have been put in place to manage the planned activities.
NatJoints said it respects the right to peaceful and lawful protest. “NatJoints respects the constitutional right to protest peacefully and lawfully. However, there will be no tolerance for criminality, violence, intimidation, threats, destruction of property, attempts to breach restricted areas or any deliberate effort to disrupt the proceedings of the summit,” it said.
NatJoints Warns Against SADC Summit Security Breaches
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NatJoints urged people taking part in marches and gatherings to follow the law and instructions issued by law-enforcement officers. The structure warned that legitimate gatherings should not be used to compromise security at the summit. It said individuals or groups attempting to disrupt the event would not be permitted to undermine its safety and integrity.
“Those participating in marches and gatherings are urged to comply with the law and instructions issued by law-enforcement officers. NatJoints will not allow individuals or groups to exploit legitimate gatherings as a means of undermining the safety, security and integrity of the summit.”
