South African police and army units held a parade on Wednesday involving helicopters, K-9 dog units and officers on motorcycles in a show of force ahead of expected protests around this weekend’s Group of 20 world leaders summit in Johannesburg.
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South Africa has deployed 3,500 extra police officers and put the army on standby under its National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure – a body that brings police, army and intelligence services together under one command to provide security for major events.
Deputy national commissioner for policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters this week that authorities were expecting protests in Johannesburg and other major South African cities.
“We will allow that right (to protest) to be exercised,” she said. “But within the proper directives and proper confines of the law.”
South African police said they have designated specific areas for protesters to gather near the summit venue, an exhibition centre next to the country’s biggest soccer stadium. The head of Airports Company South Africa, which runs the main international airports, said it had set up “speakers’ corners” in airports where protesters would be “kindly” taken by security if they stage demonstrations when world leaders arrive.
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