The South African government has firmly stated that 30 June 2026 will be a routine working day, amidst fears of national unrest linked to ongoing immigration issues, Cape {town} Etc reports
At a media briefing held in Pretoria by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamaloko Kubayi underscored the state’s commitment to maintaining law and order, insisting that any acts of intimidation or violence on the announced date would be met with stringent legal repercussions.
‘Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of the State. Thus, we are ready as a State to protect every person, citizens and foreign nationals, against any form of abuse and intimidation,’ Kubayi asserted.
The IMC reiterated that no unauthorised individuals have the right to demand documentation from citizens, nor to obstruct access to essential public services such as schools and hospitals.
The backdrop of this declaration comes as South Africa grapples with spiralling public sentiment and actions surrounding irregular migration, with Kubayi noting a surge in public order incidents.
Reports indicate a significant rise in unrest, with 89 public order and incitement-related cases logged by 21 June, an increase from 53 the week prior.
Law enforcement has also acted decisively, with over 5,000 arrests for immigration-related violations reported during the recent Operation Shanela.
Kubayi condemned the vigilantism and violence associated with recent anti-immigration demonstrations, particularly citing incidents in the Free State, which featured vandalism alongside public protests.
‘Vigilantism and attacks targeting individuals based on nationality are criminal acts,’ Kubayi stressed, signalling the government’s intolerance for any abuse of power exploited under the guise of social activism.
Adding to this narrative, the IMC conveyed concerns over misinformation proliferating on social media platforms regarding 30 June, urging the public to remain vigilant against manipulated political narratives designed to incite chaos.
The government has engaged directly with social media channels to mitigate the spread of such harmful content.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia echoed these sentiments in a recent address to law enforcement personnel in Durban. He called for ‘upholding the law without fear, favour or prejudice,’ as preparations escalate for what is expected to be a highly monitored day.
Cachalia emphasised the constitutional responsibility of officers to maintain public order while ensuring the rights of all individuals, regardless of their societal roles.
‘Our role is to uphold the Constitution, enforce the law, and ensure public order is maintained,’ he reinforced.
He reminded officers that public demonstrations, while often contentious, should not infringe on the liberties of others and that their responsibility is to facilitate lawful protests while swiftly addressing any unlawful behaviour.
Cachalia urged the police to approach their duties with professionalism and restraint, highlighting the sharp rise in tensions surrounding immigration policies in recent weeks.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Cape Town ramps up security amid xenophobia threats and proposed shutdown
Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images
