Law enforcement agencies say they are fully prepared to maintain order during nationwide protests against undocumented immigration on Tuesday, 30 June, warning that any criminal activity will be met with swift and decisive action.
Speaking on Monday, National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structures (Natjoints) Chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said Public Order Policing units and specialised teams have been deployed across all nine provinces, with command centres operating around the clock.
“To those who intend to break the law, our message is simple: do not test the resolve of the State. To those who intend to demonstrate peacefully, we assure you that your constitutional rights will be protected,” she said.
Mosikili stressed that while peaceful protests are protected by the Constitution, authorities will not tolerate violence, intimidation, looting, damage to infrastructure or disruptions to essential services. She also warned that firearms, knives and other dangerous weapons will not be permitted at demonstrations.
She revealed that police have registered 103 cases and arrested 195 suspects linked to immigration-related operations since 1 March, while more than 25,000 undocumented foreign nationals have been repatriated.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also urged protesters to exercise their constitutional rights peacefully, saying intimidation, vandalism and violence would not be tolerated.
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