Cape Town – The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) says it is fully prepared to manage anticipated protests across the province on 30 June, as calls for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa continue to circulate nationally.
According IOL, Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni addressed the media in Eldorado Park on Thursday, warning that law enforcement will take firm action against any unlawful conduct during the planned demonstrations.
“Anyone who intends to incite violence or break the law, do so at your own risk. Those caught on the wrong side of the law will be tracked and arrested,” Mthombeni said.
He confirmed that authorities will deploy extensive surveillance and operational resources, including helicopters, drones and more than 33,000 CCTV cameras across Gauteng, to monitor developments in real time.
#sapsGP [MEDIA BRIEFING ON STATE OF READINESS FOR PLANNED PROTEST ACTION ON 30 JUNE 2026]
The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), co-chaired by the #SAPS, State Security Agency (SSA), and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF),… pic.twitter.com/ffvZmW1F2S
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 25, 2026
“Indeed, we have mobilised extensively, and we will have what is called a downlink, allowing us to observe activities as they happen. The drones and helicopters will be able to identify who is doing what. So, if you get arrested, do not say you were not warned,” he said.
The policing operation will involve a coordinated effort between the South African Police Service (SAPS), metro police departments, the Gauteng Traffic Police, the Department of Community Safety, and private security companies operating under the Business Against Crime South Africa Eyes and Ears (E2) initiative. Authorities say the approach is aimed at ensuring public safety while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Thami Ntuli says the number of foreign nationals voluntarily requesting repatriation is increasing daily.
According to SABC News, the provincial government, in collaboration with national departments, has been processing undocumented migrants and facilitating their return to their countries of origin.
More than 8,000 Malawian nationals have already been processed by the Department of Home Affairs, with 22 buses reportedly transporting individuals out of South Africa.
The honourable Premier of KwaZulu Natal Thamsanqa Ntuli has opened the summit on undocumented foreign nationals. pic.twitter.com/61kXF1dxrQ
— KZN Community Safety & Liaison (@KZN_ComSafety) June 25, 2026
Ntuli said some of those arriving at processing sites are believed to be coming from outside the province, adding that the sites continue to experience ongoing inflows despite efforts to discourage further arrivals.
“Each day, there are new people coming, despite the fact that we’re discouraging them to come into that condemned site but because of seeing transport opportunity, they’re coming there. Even those who really have ways and means to travel on their own, use this opportunity, which is quite very unfortunate. And in Durban, the site is a similar challenge that is in Pietermaritzburg, wherein people are transported, and more are coming on site but the work is continuing,” Ntuli said.
Authorities say operations are ongoing as both provinces prepare for potential tensions linked to the planned 30 June demonstrations.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
