Rhinos to chase protesters in Johannesburg

19 July 2016 - 17:06 By S'duduzo Dludla

You can run‚ but you cannot hide. This was the message from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department on Tuesday at the unveiling of its Mobile Command and Riot Vehicle units in Sophiatown.Superintendent Edna Mamonyane said the Rhino‚ a new riot control vehicle‚ was fitted with infrared and heat signature cameras that allowed metro officers to detect a suspect even in the dark behind a concrete wall.The cameras also have facial recognition technology.Broadcasting union to challenge dismissal of SABC journalistsThe technology will allow officers to single out instigators during violent protests‚ mayor Parks Tau said.There are six vehicles in total with four mobile command units and two riot control trucks‚ procured at a cost of R27.16 million.Tau said the initiative was sparked by complaints from members of the public who said metro officers were not doing enough to assist them during violent protests."It is an inconvenience if you can't drive on the road because it has been blocked with rocks. People have told me that hey have lost their jobs because of roads being barricaded. This initiative is aimed at addressing such matters‚" said Tau...

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