South Africa has stepped up Johannesburg security measures as authorities brace for expected demonstrations during the South Africa G20 summit this weekend. The country is deploying over 3,500 police officers to maintain order and protect delegates amid heightened concerns over G20 summit protests.
Massive Police and Military Presence
South African police and army units conducted a parade with helicopters and motorcycle officers in Johannesburg as part of readiness operations. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, a unified command coordinating police, military, and intelligence agencies, placed the army on standby and reinforced security measures around the summit venues.
Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, deputy national commissioner for policing, emphasized that the right to protest will be allowed but within legal confines. Specific areas have been designated for protesters near the summit venue, an exhibition centre adjacent to the country’s largest football stadium.
Expected Demonstrations and Controversial Billboards
The two-day summit, starting Saturday, will host leaders and diplomats from over 40 countries and global institutions like the United Nations. However, the United States is boycotting the event, citing concerns over South Africa’s policies toward its Afrikaner minority. This has fueled tensions, with protests expected from anticapitalists, climate activists, women’s rights groups, and anti-migrant organizations highlighting issues like poverty, inequality, and unemployment.
A trade union representing Afrikaners stirred controversy with billboards criticizing South Africa’s affirmative action policies, prompting city authorities to remove some and leading to potential legal action.
Advocacy and Alternative Protests
Women for Change, an advocacy group, has called for a national shutdown on Friday, urging women to boycott work to protest high levels of violence against women and femicide. Anti-immigration groups plan to highlight unemployment and poverty, while climate and wealth inequality activists are organizing an alternative summit in another part of Johannesburg, declaring the G20 gathering “for the rich.”
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This article was originally reported by AP News and Euronews. Read the full stories here and here.
