Shoppers and Johannesburg Pride attendees went about their business in Sandton on Saturday. But it was an eerie experience as a heavy police contingent and armed security guards watched people's every move.
“Threat or not, police are ready to safeguard all four major events hosted in South Africa, that’s their job. Whether the occasion is in KZN, Gauteng or Western Cape, police will be on hand to ensure all the planned events, including the handover ceremony in Durban, will be among the safest events,” said Cele, referring to President Cyril Ramaphosa's handover of a certificate recognisingDe Wee arrived in Sandton just after 10am.
“When I saw them, it looked like they were being briefed and they were about to be deployed. But there are many private security officers, even inside the mall, who are carrying assault rifles.”“Families were carrying on with their activities, going around with kids. “I got here around 10am and the police presence was building up and they are more visible on the streets now. They are walking the streets.”
He said the Johannesburg Pride event is about 200m from Mandela Square, adding that the street had been cordoned off and stalls set up. “There are security personnel and metro police. The security officers searched my bag when I got here.”