South Africa’s policing and security agencies have been placed on high alert ahead of planned anti–illegal immigration demonstrations on 30 June, with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warning that any criminality linked to the protests will be met with decisive action.
Cachalia said while South Africans have a constitutional right to protest, law enforcement will not tolerate violence, intimidation or attempts to destabilise the country.
“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully and within the confines of the law. However, criminality, intimidation, violence, the destruction of property and any attempt to undermine public safety will not be tolerated,” he told journalists in Pretoria on Monday.
“The full might of the law will be brought to deal decisively with anyone who seeks to undermine the safety, security and constitutional order of our Republic.”
Vigilante groups have given migrants from other African countries until 30 June to leave the country or face unspecified action in the latest episode of xenophobic unrest to grip South Africa.
They have threatened to shut down the country on 30 June to force President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to take action against the foreign national whom they accuse of taking their jobs and fuelling an already high level of crime in the country.
The demonstrations, organised by groups calling for tougher action against undocumented migrants, have raised concerns about potential unrest, prompting government to elevate security readiness across all provinces.
Cachalia said the South African Police Service (SAPS) remains the lead agency for maintaining public order but may request support from the South African National Defence Force should the operational environment require additional capacity.
He said SAPS has activated comprehensive deployment plans to protect communities, critical infrastructure and public spaces, with daily operational assessments and continuous monitoring of emerging risks.
“Government is prepared. Our law enforcement agencies are coordinated, our operational plans are in place, and we will continue to monitor the situation daily,” he said.
Cachalia added that coordination across the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster has been strengthened, with engagements planned this week with all nine provincial premiers to ensure a unified response.
Over the weekend, he met with provincial police commissioners and senior operational commanders to review readiness and confirm that “every province is fully prepared.”
As part of efforts to promote calm, the JCPS Cluster also met with the Zulu Royal House, led by Prime Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi, to encourage messages of peace and non‑violence.
JN/APA