Government has reiterated that 30 June will be a normal working day, warning that any acts of violence, intimidation, vigilantism or disruption linked to planned anti-immigration protests will be met with the full force of the law.
The assurance came from the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration during a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, following its weekly meeting to assess progress on government’s response to irregular migration.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamaloko Kubayi said the State was fully prepared to protect both South African citizens and foreign nationals.
“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. We therefore declare that the 30th of June 2026 as a normal day for the country.”
The statement comes amid growing concern over planned demonstrations on 30 June, some of which have been linked to frustrations around illegal immigration.
On Sunday, in a video message, Police Minister Firoz Cachalia sought to reassure South Africans that law enforcement agencies are ready to ensure any demonstrations take place peacefully and within the confines of the law.
“As South Africans prepare to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest on the 30th of June, I want to assure every citizen that the safety and security of all remains our highest priority.”
He stressed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had no intention of preventing lawful demonstrations and would instead facilitate the exercise of democratic rights while maintaining public order and protecting people and property.
Cachalia also acknowledged that South Africans are engaged in an important debate about migration and illegal immigration, saying government is listening to public concerns while engaging leaders across the continent. He pointed to the establishment of the IMC, led by Kubayi, to strengthen immigration management and border controls.
The IMC warned that no unauthorised individuals are permitted to demand identity documents or proof of nationality from members of the public. It also stressed that blocking access to schools, hospitals, clinics or other public services is unlawful.
Kubayi said violence, intimidation, xenophobia, hate speech and the spread of misinformation, including fake news on social media, would not be tolerated and those responsible would face prosecution.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations across the country in response to rising tensions. 89 public-order and incitement-related incidents had been registered as criminal cases by 21 June, compared with 53 cases the previous week.
A total of 164 people have been arrested for offences including incitement to violence and contraventions of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, while 36 cases are already before the courts.
Authorities also reported that more than 5,000 people were arrested for immigration-related offences during Operation Shanela in the week ending 15 June.
Kubayi condemned recent anti-immigration protests that were accompanied by looting in parts of the Free State, describing vigilantism and attacks targeting people based on nationality as criminal acts.
Government has also engaged social media platforms over content related to the 30 June mobilisation, following concerns that manipulated videos and images are being circulated online to incite violence and damage South Africa’s international reputation.
While reaffirming that freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are protected by the Constitution, Kubayi emphasised that these rights do not extend to incitement of violence or the advocacy of hatred.
The IMC urged South Africans not to allow legitimate concerns about illegal migration to be exploited by individuals seeking to provoke unrest or destabilise the country.
“We repeat that the 30th of June 2026 will be a normal day for the country, economic and social activities will not be disrupted.”
