Cape Town - Police have imposed restrictive security measures in and around Parliament ahead of the State of the Nation Address this evening.
President Jacob Zuma will deliver the annual address to a joint sitting of Parliament at 7pm.
Dignitaries expected to attend include former President FW De Klerk as well as other high profile guests.
"We want to warn people that there will be a zero tolerance approach to any criminality and we are ready for any eventuality," said National Police spokesperson, Colonel Vish Naidoo.
Speaking to BuaNews, Naidoo said more than 1000 law enforcement authorities had been deployed to Parliament for the event, with a police helicopter expected to be circling over the National Assembly during the course of the day.
A joint operational and intelligence structure comprising various government departments including the police, the defence force and traffic officers, had been put in place to maximise security.
"The objective of the plan is to ensure the implementation of uncompromising security measures, to limit the probability of critical incidents occurring, and in the unlikely event they do - to limit the impact of such an incident through contingency planning," said Naidoo.
The operation will primarily entail the high visibility of the various security forces in uniform and some in civilian clothes patrolling in vehicles, on foot, on bicycles, motor bikes and horseback.
"We have also made adequate provision for air support. In addition to this our VIP Protection Unit will also be deployed to ensure the smooth movement of VIP's and to also ensure a smooth running of the event".
Authorities also intensified patrols in the streets around Parliament and were imposing restrictive movements of vehicles in a bid to strengthen security. Also, several roads around Parliament have been closed off to normal traffic since last night.
"Security is one of the major things we take serious during the opening of Parliament. As you know we sometimes have protesters around the House, so we are taking every measure to ensure that there are no disruptions," added Naidoo.
The deployment of security forces for the opening of Parliament was over and above normal day-to-day policing in and around the city of Cape Town.
