Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says law enforcement agencies are ready for the planned nationwide anti-immigration protests expected on June 30.
According to Cape Times, Cachalia spoke in Cape Town on Tuesday after meeting SAPS Nyanga police station management and representatives of the Community Policing Forum.
He said police had responded with urgency, responsibility and professionalism as the country prepares for possible unrest linked to immigration tensions.
Cachalia said his responsibility as Police Minister was to ensure police were ready for “any eventuality” before, during and after June 30.
R600 Million Security Operation
The planned security response is expected to cost around R600 million.
Cachalia said he wanted the figure to be part of the national debate. While people may have genuine grievances, he said the way those grievances are pursued carries a major cost for the country.
The minister said he and his deputy ministers had examined SAPS’ operational plans to find and close any gaps.
He said he had received a full operational briefing and was satisfied that police were prepared.
Leave Suspended for Special Operation
SAPS has classified the response as a special operation.
Cachalia said officers’ leave had been suspended to maximise available resources. He also said the army had not been called up because he did not expect it would be needed.
However, he said the army could be brought in if the situation required it.
The minister said South Africa could not afford a repeat of the July 2021 unrest.
Government Pushes Immigration Enforcement
Cachalia said the police operation would focus on public safety, critical infrastructure and keeping June 30 as normal as possible.
He also said SAPS was stepping up immigration law enforcement.
According to Cape Times, Cachalia said police in the Western Cape were arresting people found to be in the country illegally.
He is also expected to continue readiness visits across the country, including Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, as government prepares for the planned protests.
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