SAPS on high alert ahead of Ramaphosa's inauguration at Union Buildings

JOHANNESBURG - Police say they are leaving nothing to chance as the country prepares for the inauguration of president-elect, Cyril Ramaphosa.
 
On Tuesday, a foreign national was arrested at the Union Buildings while trying to use the ID of a deceased person to secure accreditation.
 
Police said their integrated systems immediately detected that the individual was using a fraudulent identity document.
 
The suspect has been charged with fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act and is currently in police custody.
 
Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe: "The SAPS has also deployed its crime prevention officers and Public Order Policing units to police the large crowds that are expected to attend these celebrations. We are patrolling, conducting stop and searches and roadblocks to ensure we tighten security and deal with any criminality."

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Meanwhile, the Presidency said that 18 heads of state would be attending President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration at the Union Buildings on Wednesday.
 
Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that royal leaders from the African region would also be attending the auspicious event.
 
He said that as a result of the high-ranking dignitaries who would be attending, the necessary preparations were put in place to ensure their safety.

"We're expecting about heads of state that are confirmed and are expected to attend the day. We have quite a broad representation from across the continent as well as from around the world, including our BRICS partners, who are represented at different levels of governance, seniority and leadership."