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.
The 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.
He says better communication between law-enforcement agencies would, in future, ensure a more coordinated response.
Sithole says the police just did not have enough capacity to respond to the widespread violence.
You can follow the SAHRC briefing here.
Commissioner Sitole’s testimony can be accessed here.
Related articles:
- South Africans must help police fight crime in their communities.
- South African police must – within the confines of the law – defend their own lives & lives of law abiding citizens.
- R900-million allocated to SANDF and SAPS to bring about peace and stability.
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
