The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the vandalism of G20 signage and revamped infrastructure across the City of Johannesburg over the last few months, which it says is a deliberate and malicious campaign of sabotage, ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.
Photos shared by the Provincial Government show recent profanities spraypainted on a G20 sign near Nasrec, and damage to streetlights and traffic signals across the City.
Spokesperson Elijah Mlanga says criminals wait for work to be completed, and then move in to cut off and steal infrastructure, which is often recovered at scrap metal dealers.
No one has been arrested yet.
There has been a concerted effort to revamp Johannesburg as world leaders are expected to descend on the City of Gold later this month.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says these cowardly acts of vandalism represent a direct assault on the nation and its standing in the world.
“We are aware that some roguish elements are mobilising to cause chaos, and we are working in full cooperation with all national security structures. We have directed our law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation. We will identify, apprehend, and fully prosecute the perpetrators of this sabotage to the full extent of the law.”
Lesufi says, despite these challenges, Gauteng is ready to host this landmark event.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a safe, secure, and successful G20 Leaders’ Summit that showcases the best of South Africa. We will not allow the desperate actions of a few to jeopardise this critical national opportunity. Our message is clear: there will be zero tolerance for any disruption or sabotage of the G20 Summit, and any attempts will be met with a swift, decisive response.”
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