The Gauteng task team, responsible for probing the wave of the so-called service delivery protests in the province, is appealing to disgruntled communities to abide by the Regulation of Gatherings Act during their protest action.
The Act explains in detail exactly what must be done in order for a gathering to be considered legal by the authorities.
Recently, the province has been hit by a wave of violent service delivery protests, a move which prompted Premier Nomvula Mokonyane to appoint a high level task team to probe and address the protests across the province.
According to the task team, one of the very first steps people should consider is to give prior written notice to the local council and the notice must be signed by the convener of the protest.
“The local council will in turn rope in the police. It is important to note that the Regulation of Gatherings Act tries to help both the protestors and the police.
“The Act tries to make sure that both the protesters and the police talk about the march before it takes place and ensure it is conducted peacefully,” said the task team in a statement.
According to the task team, there are a number of avenues which are available to members of the community to raise their concerns. These include ward councillors, ward committees, petitions committees in municipalities, public petitions committee in the legislature, Community Development Workers (CDWs), Community Liaison Officers (CLOs), Premier’s Hotline, Presidential Hotline, Integrated Development Plan (IDP) forums and izimbizo.
The task team further emphasised that it is vital for organisations and individuals that are likely to hold marches to empower themselves with the detailed provisions of the Regulation of Gatherings Act.
The task team comprises Premier Mokonyane, MECs and Heads of Department for Health, Community Safety, Human Settlements, Economic Development and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. – SAnews.gov.za
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