The Western Cape Government has activated a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to coordinate a provincial response to social unrest linked to illegal immigration, after Premier Alan Winde and several members of his Cabinet convened an emergency-planning meeting.

Joint operations centre activated

The JOC, led by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, brings multiple authorities, including the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, the Department of Home Affairs, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and various municipalities, together to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

All role-players are working together to identify flash points and defuse tensions, with the police actively monitoring social-media platforms for potential threats.

Four-point plan to maintain order

The province’s response plan is anchored in four key priorities: visible policing in hot spots, strengthening intelligence networks, proactive communications, and rapid mediation and engagement.

The International Relations Directorate, within the Department of the Premier, has also maintained regular contact with several foreign missions.

Premier warns against escalation

Winde expressed serious concern over a potential escalation that could lead to further social unrest, noting that several demonstrations have already been held and that more are planned in the coming days. He strongly urged organisers and demonstrators to conduct themselves peacefully.

“While we respect every resident’s right to protest, this must be done within the confines of the law. We urge residents to stand against violence. Violence in any context is completely unacceptable. We have seen how this issue can escalate into further unrest. We have already had unrest and demonstrations in the Mossel Bay, Overstrand and Cape Agulhas areas. We have taken decisive steps including bolstering enforcement measures and contingency planning to avoid any further violence.”

Call to undocumented foreign nationals

The Western Cape Government has welcomed the interventions implemented by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration constituted by President Cyril Ramaphosa and has offered its support to the committee’s work wherever necessary.

Winde called on all foreign nationals living in the province without the required legal documentation to take immediate steps to regularise their status in accordance with the country’s immigration laws.

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