Lesufi: 'dark forces' tried to sabotage Tshwane ahead of G20

Outage plunged Union Buildings, parts of Pretoria CBD into darkness

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

GAUTENG Premier Panyaza Lesufi has blamed what he called “dark forces that try extremely hard” to pull the country backwards after massive power outages in Tshwane ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit.

A widespread outage hit the city yesterday morning, just days before the summit this weekend.

Lesufi was speaking at a state-of-readiness briefing for law enforcement yesterday, at the FNB Park and Ride space in Johannesburg.

The event was led by acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia, joined by his deputies Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero.

The parade formed part of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster's comprehensive preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit, scheduled to be held at the Nasrec Expo Centre from November 22 to 23.

Lesufi expressed confidence that the province and the city were fully prepared to host the high-stakes event and stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of all attendees.