The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has expressed confidence that all necessary security deployments and plans are in place to ensure a peaceful, safe, and secure 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), warning that lawlessness and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the SONA at 7pm on Thursday in the Cape Town City Hall, under the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The theme for the seventh administration’s 2025 SONSA is “A nation that works, for all.”
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe explained that the NATJOINTS is confident that SONA 2025 will take place in a safe and secure environment with cooperation from all attendees and participants.
”In the build-up to the SONA event, all NATJOINTS stakeholders have been meeting regularly to ensure the smooth running of the event,” she said.
Mathe added that the operational plan is processing as expected, with all critical role players fulfilling their respective responsibilities.
“All law enforcement agencies have mobilised the necessary resources to increase police visibility to prevent and combat opportunistic crimes before, during, and after the address,” she said
The City of Cape Town traffic services has issued a road closure advisory for residents, spectators, and businesses in the vicinity of the Cape Town City Hall as a precautionary measure.
“The NATJOINTS urges unaccredited or unauthorised individuals to avoid the area around the City Hall,” Mathe said.
She warned that any lawlessness, criminality, or behaviour that contravenes the law will be dealt with accordingly.
“No disruptions will be allowed and tolerated by law enforcement,” Mathe added.
“Furthermore, NATJOINTS has also been ensuring the safety of attendees at the Investing in African Mining Indaba, which has proceeded without incident or disruptions.”
Mathe said the NATJOINTS is confident that the SONA address will take place with minimal to zero incidents.
“The NATJOINTS wishes to remind communities that the airspace around the City Hall will be restricted during the State of the Nation Address for both manned and unmanned aircrafts,” she said.
The airspace will be monitored by the airspace security team to ensure a no-fly zone for drones, she said.
“The restricted airspace of two nautical mile radius and altitude of Ground to 5,000 feet will be strictly enforced, and transgressors will be charged for the violation of the Civil Aviation Regulations,” Mathe added.
She said the restriction will be in place from 7am until 10pm.
Mathe added that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, together with the Deputy Ministers of Police, Cassel Mathale, Polly Boshielo and the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, will address members of various law enforcement agencies deployed to secure the SONA at 11.30am at the Castle of Good Hope.
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