A Zimbabwean national has been arrested in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, after he allegedly posed as a performing artist in an attempt to gain access to the 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
South Africa’s National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said the man failed to produce valid documentation while trying to obtain accreditation as an artist for the high-profile regional event.
He claimed his identification and supporting documents had been stolen. The man was subsequently arrested.
NATJOINTS chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said accreditation for the summit will be strictly controlled as South Africa intensifies security ahead of the gathering.
Briefing the media in Durban on Tuesday, Mosikili said the South African security cluster is now in full deployment ahead of the summit, with 12 Heads of State and Government expected to arrive in Durban this week.
She said security operations began on 3 August and have so far covered build-up meetings and side events without incident.
Mosikili warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the summit would be dealt with in terms of the law, saying NATJOINTS was “ready and fully prepared” to ensure the safety of delegates and the smooth running of the event.
She said people had a constitutional right to protest peacefully and lawfully, but warned that this did not extend to criminal acts, intimidation, property damage or attempts to disrupt the international gathering.
“Let me be unequivocal: the disruption of the 46th SADC Ordinary Summit will not be allowed. The security forces will respond decisively, proportionately and within the law to any threat to public safety and security,” Mosikili said.
She said specialised units, intelligence structures and maximum resources have been deployed, with proactive measures in place to identify and prevent potential threats.
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