SOUTH AFRICA – Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has assured South Africans that the South African Police Service (SAPS) are fully prepared to facilitate peaceful protests on Tuesday 30 June while maintaining public safety and order.
In a video message, addressing the nation ahead of planned demonstrations about immigration concerns, Cachalia emphasised that protecting citizens’ constitutional rights remains paramount.
“As South Africans prepare to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest – our very hard-won freedom – on the 30th of June, I want to assure every citizen that the safety and security of all remains our highest priority,” Cachalia said on Sunday 28 June.
The acting minister confirmed that SAPS is ready to manage the demonstrations. “The South African Police Service is fully prepared,” he said, adding that officers are “focused on ensuring that these demonstrations take place in a safe, secure, and orderly” manner.
Cachalia was clear about the police’s role during the protests. “Let me be clear, the South African Police Service has no intention of preventing anyone from exercising their democratic right to demonstrate peacefully,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to facilitate the lawful exercise of that right while protecting all participants, other members of the public, as well as property, and maintaining public order.”
The acting minister called on organisers and participants to cooperate with authorities. “We call on all organisers and participants to work with law enforcement to ensure that the day proceeds peacefully and responsibly,” he said.
Acknowledging the broader context of the protests, Cachalia said South Africans are engaged in an important national dialogue. “South Africans are engaged in an important conversation about the terms of migration to our country,” he said, adding that “that is a conversation that we are also having with the people and leaders of our continent.”
He emphasised that the government is responding to public concerns. “The government is listening and responding to the concerns of our people,” Cachalia said.
Cachalia reiterated that an interministerial committee has been established “to strengthen immigration management and border controls.”
He stressed that engagement with citizens will continue beyond Tuesday 30 June. “These engagements with our people will continue after June 30th to build a consensus on our response as South Africans to illegal immigration in a way which is consistent with the Constitution, he said.
Cachalia confirmed that police vigilance will remain heightened after the demonstrations. “The South African Police Service will continue to maintain vigilance after the June 30th date,” he said.
The planned demonstrations come amid growing public debate about immigration policy and border management in South Africa, with various organisations planning separate marches across the country.
