Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has moved to calm nerves ahead of Tuesday’s anti-immigration protest, saying residents should go about their day as usual.
But he warned would-be troublemakers that anyone involved in violence, intimidation or incitement would be dealt with decisively.
“SA remains a constitutional democracy founded on the rule of law, human dignity, and the protection of all persons within its borders,” he said.
“As government, we remain open to engagement on the matters that have been raised, and we appreciate that last week’s march in the province was conducted in compliance with the law.
“I call for the same responsible approach to tomorrow’s march, where demonstrators will exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully.”
His comments come on the eve of June 30, the deadline anti-immigration groups in SA set for all undocumented foreigners to leave the country.
The groups, led by March and March, Operation Dudula and about 27 other civic organisations, blame migrants for high unemployment and crime.
Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s disaster management centre activated its joint operations centre as a precaution.
“While no major incidents have been reported at this stage, the JOC brings together key stakeholders to ensure coordinated planning, rapid response, and clear public communication should conditions get worse,” the municipality said.
“The law enforcement agency has intensified its operational planning to prevent incidents that could result from the march.”
Mabuyane said about 700 foreign nationals, mainly Malawians, had been processed by the department of home affairs in Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay.
He said the province had opened a processing centre in KuGompo City, formerly East London, to manage the safe deportation of foreign nationals.
He said all district and metro municipalities had identified sites that could be used to house and process migrants if needed.
Police arrested more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals across the Eastern Cape at the weekend, in a series of operations under what they called the June 30 Operational Deployment.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said special operations between Thursday and Sunday led to the arrest of 66 undocumented people in Gqeberha.
Beetge said the operations were a joint effort between the SAPS, municipal police, provincial and municipal traffic, the SANDF and the department of home affairs, and that they were continuing.
He said three firearms and 12 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
A 62-year-old man was arrested in Motherwell for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Anti-Gang Unit members on patrol spotted an attempted armed robbery in Old Uitenhage Road, Missionvale, but the two suspects fled, discarded their firearm and escaped.
On Sunday, four suspects entered a home in Missionvale and robbed residents of two cellphones. Residents overpowered one of them, who was armed, before police arrested him for house robbery and seized a replica firearm.
An undocumented person was arrested in Deare Street, Central, for possession of cocaine and crack cocaine, along with two suspected stolen cellphones.
Officers also conducted high-visibility patrols at ATMs, banks, taxi ranks, shopping centres, schools and identified crime hotspots.
“Police remain committed to strengthening operations under the June 30 Operational Deployment to combat crime, enforce the law, and ensure the safety and security of all communities,” Beetge said.
In the Chris Hani district, police spokeswoman Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said a large-scale operation on Sunday led to the arrest of 35 foreign nationals for being in the country without valid documents.
A further 17 foreign nationals were fined a total of R21,000 for possessing expired permits.
Most of those arrested were from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Bangladesh.
The operation focused on high-visibility patrols, identifying undocumented foreign nationals in workplaces and public spaces, and preventing assaults, looting and damage to foreign-owned property.
During business inspections in Michausdal, Nxuba, an Ethiopian shop owner fled and locked his premises when he saw police approaching.
Four suspects aged between 33 and 55 then broke into the shop and stole goods, but were arrested while still in possession of them and are expected to appear in the Nxuba Magistrate’s Court.
Motorists were also issued traffic fines exceeding R10,000.
In Buffalo City, provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said operations across the metro on June 28, running from 5.45 am to 6 pm, concluded with no serious incidents.
Some 1,131 vehicles and 956 people were searched, 58 traffic fines worth R64,850 were issued, and 44 people were arrested on various charges.
Officers visited 152 spaza shops, 45 taverns, 10 malls, 10 taxi ranks, 12 ATMs and 23 filling stations, and set up four roadblocks and four vehicle checkpoints.
Items confiscated included knives, copper pipes, mandrax and tik.
“The operations went exceptionally well with no serious incidents reported,” Gantana said.
Buffalo City district commissioner Major General Christopher Wright warned people against using the protests as cover for crime.
“To those contemplating using these protests as cover for criminal activities, the message remains clear: the SAPS is ready and will act decisively,” he said.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest but will not tolerate lawlessness,” he said.
Eastern Cape police remained on high alert and would continue to monitor the situation, Gantana said.
IOL News
Brandon Nel
iol.co.za
