Threats of a national shutdown did not materialise in Stellenbosch. The streets from Kayamandi to Cloetesville to the central business district (CBD) were quiet.

On Monday (29 June), Stellenbosch police as well as the Stellenbosch Municipality confirmed there were no official protests taking place on Tuesday (30 June). The civil society group March and March, along with other organisations, have called for national demonstrations focused on illegal immigration and border control. The protestors called for all undocumented migrants to leave the country.

On Tuesday morning, Stellenbosch Municipality confirmed that despite no planned protest, law enforcement officials remain on high alert. “A Joint Operations Centre (JOC) was activated over the weekend, bringing together police, law enforcement, traffic services and fire and disaster management to coordinate preparedness and ensure public safety. Although no protest action is planned, members are deployed across the municipality on a 24-hour basis and an operational contingency plan remains in place.”

“Business continues as usual and residents are encouraged to carry on with their normal daily activities. We thank the community for its cooperation and will continue to provide updates should any new information arise,” the local municipality said in a statement.

By lunchtime on Tuesday, no official incidents had been reported.

In Cloetesville and Kayamandi, it was business as usual with children, home for the school holidays, playing in the streets and most businesses open for trade. However, various tuck shops and small businesses were closed, apparently as a precautionary measure. Despite calm in Stellenbosch’s CBD, various cellphone repair shops, takeaways and convenience stores were closed. A few coffee shops and eateries also closed their doors for the day.

However, big retailers remained open.