National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole says law enforcers were overwhelmed during the July unrests.
He says the police could therefore not sufficiently respond to all reported incidents of looting.
Audio PlayerThe riots, in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal, led to billions of Rand of damage to businesses and infrastructure.
Sithole was testifying at the Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into the riots and says the police force was caught unprepared.
Audio PlayerHe says better communication between law-enforcement agencies would, in future, ensure a more coordinated response.
Audio PlayerSithole says the police just did not have enough capacity to respond to the widespread violence.
Audio PlayerYou can follow the SAHRC briefing here.
Commissioner Sitole’s testimony can be accessed here.
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National Commissioner of Police Lt General Khehla Sithole appearing before the National Investigative Hearing into the July 2021 Unrest. pic.twitter.com/9kjTKqecU8
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) November 22, 2021
