City gets out of the way for President

11 February 2007 - 02:00 By unknown
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

PRESIDENT Thabo Mbeki was cocooned in safety en route to the opening of Parliament as police and bodyguards mounted a massive security operation that turned large chunks of Cape Town into a no-go zone for criminals.

Peak traffic ground to a virtual standstill on Friday morning as several key roads leading into the city were closed to the public - the routes reserved exclusively for motorcades ferrying Mbeki, Cabinet ministers and VIP guests.

While a police helicopter clattered overhead, police dogs patrolled the streets and camouflaged members of the force scanned the city with binoculars from elevated vantage points.

One day before the red-carpet event, the SAPS issued a statement alerting the public to road closures and "security measures".

"No person or object will be allowed to protrude through any window, door or opening of any building on the routes of roads and streets that will be closed," warned the statement.

Fears were raised over Mbeki's safety in the city almost seven years ago when a vagrant broke into Genadendal, his official Cape Town residence in Rondebosch.

The man was arrested after apparently spending a weekend "living like a king", helping himself to food and liquor.

The intruder was dispatched to a mental institution after being found unfit to stand trial. Mbeki was not in residence at the time of the incident. - Andre Jurgens

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now