South Africa’s senior police leadership has issued a firm warning ahead of planned anti illegal immigration protests scheduled for next week, cautioning against the carrying of any weapons, including traditional arms, during the demonstrations.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership provided an update on Monday on preparations for the June 30 marches, which activist groups have set as a deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country.
Chairperson of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), Tebello Mosikili, said security agencies would respond decisively to anyone found with weapons during the protests.
“While we respect the constitutional right to protest, demonstrations must remain peaceful and must not endanger lives or property,” Mosikili said.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia disclosed that large scale security deployment would come at a significant cost to the state.
“I can tell you that it’s going to cost the South African police service over R600 million ($37M),” said Cachalia.
He added that police would be fully deployed nationwide and would not tolerate violence, criminal conduct, or any form of incitement during the demonstrations.
