South Africa heightens security ahead of G20 summit

JOHANNESBURG

South Africa is beefing up security Thursday ahead of a G20 summit in Johannesburg from Nov. 22 - 23 that will bring together leaders from the world's major economic powers, according to senior police officials.

Law enforcement agencies held a parade Wednesday to showcase their readiness ahead of the weekend summit.

Several groups, including climate activists, pro-Kashmiri campaigners, and women's rights groups, are expected to hold protests.

Kashmiri activists are opposed to the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom they accuse of committing crimes against humanity in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir region.

South Africa is the first African country to lead the group of powerful nations. It assumed the rotational annual presidency of the group last December. The countries of the G20 account for more than 70% of the world’s trade.

National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola told law enforcement officers Wednesday that security measures have been put in place to safeguard delegates and heads of state.

“We have no doubt that just as other events we have policed, this one too will take place in a safe and secure environment,” Lt. Gen. Tebello Mosikili, deputy national commissioner for policing, told reporters late Tuesday.

She said police would allow the right for protesters as long as they follow proper directives and the confines of the law.

“We confirm that from Friday, Nov. 21, until Monday, Nov. 24, we will be implementing a hard lockdown in the vicinity of the FNB stadium, which is housing the accreditation center, as well as at the Nasrec Conference and Expo Centre, which is hosting the dignitaries,” said Mosikili.

She said there would be increased roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, foot patrols, and air controls to ensure the safety of heads of state and delegates.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia will pass out on Friday the 3,558 newly trained police constables who will bolster crime combatting efforts at the grassroots level of policing.

South Africa successfully policed 20 G20 ministerial meetings and Sherpa’s conferences in the build-up to the G20 summit.

Several heads of state have confirmed their participation in the summit, except US President Donald Trump, who said no American official will attend the summit as he accused South Africa of “human rights abuses” against the white Afrikaner population.

Russia, Mexico, and Argentina have confirmed they will be represented by foreign ministers at the summit, while China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang.

The South African government has denied several times allegations of systematic persecution, murder, or confiscation of land targeting white Afrikaner farmers, saying the claims are not substantiated by fact.