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South African authorities are bracing for planned anti-immigrant protests on 30 June, with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announcing a special operation costing taxpayers more than R600 million to counter efforts to destabilise the country.

Cachalia, speaking at a press conference on Monday, 22 June, issued a firm warning against lawlessness during the demonstrations, saying violence will not be tolerated and no one is allowed to participate in protest action armed.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from AllAfrica detail a coordinated government response to the looming 30 June "deadline" set by the anti-immigrant organisation March and March for undocumented immigrants to leave the country. The coverage highlights both police operational readiness and parliamentary efforts to frame the protests within legal bounds.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, alongside Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, addressed the media on preparations ahead of the deadline. Cachalia met with SAPS management at the Tshwane Academy College in Pretoria on Saturday, 20 June, where he received briefings on national and provincial operational plans.

Parliamentary committees also briefed the media on their preparations. Mosa Chabane, chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, emphasized that South Africans have the right to raise concerns about immigration, but must do so within the law.

Key Claims

  • Protests are planned for 30 June, with anti-immigrant groups calling for undocumented immigrants to leave the country.
  • Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned against lawlessness, violence, and intimidation during the protests.
  • The special police operation against efforts to destabilise the country is costing taxpayers more than R600 million.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management.
  • Mosa Chabane emphasized the right to raise concerns about immigration within the law.
  • The police are on alert for the 30 June protests, with SAPS operationally prepared.
  • Weekly enforcement operations are ongoing to verify the legal status of foreign nationals.
  • Cachalia emphasized the right to peaceful protest but warned against violence and intimidation.

Perspectives

Government Officials

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stressed that while the constitutional right to peaceful protest will be respected, no acts of lawlessness, violence, intimidation, or criminality will be tolerated. He stated, "Our message is clear: Everyone has the constitutional 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 also warned that participants should come unarmed.

Parliamentarians

Mosa Chabane, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, said, "South Africans are not xenophobic. We are protected by the Constitution to raise any matter of concern, but we must do that within the framework of the law." He reiterated that all protests planned for 30 June should be peaceful. Jane Mananiso, chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice, said the Border Management Authority was committed to protecting borders and ensuring immigration processes are followed.

Political Leaders

DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis called for calm, urging restraint amid the tensions.

Business and Civil Society

Shawn Koen, project manager at Business Against Crime Western Cape, expressed confidence that the police would maintain law and order on 30 June. He noted that marchers had no right to demand documentation from businesses, adding that "a business cannot employ anyone who is illegal in the country in any case."