Eastern Cape police said they are fully prepared for two planned anti-illegal immigration marches in the Buffalo City Metro on Tuesday.
The demonstrations are expected to take place in eQonce and kuGompo.
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Officers were addressed at a parade on Tuesday morning before being deployed across the province.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata said law enforcement is well- resourced and ready to respond to any incidents that may arise.
Ncata said police will have zero tolerance for violence or criminality and has urged demonstrators to protest peacefully and within the law.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will support police operations, particularly in gang-affected areas of the Eastern Cape.
Authorities have identified several potential hotspots, including Gqeberha, kuGompo, California in Mdantsane, and the East London CBD.
At the same time, police said they have intensified operations ahead of Tuesday’s marches.
Over the past two days, 143 undocumented persons have been arrested across the Eastern Cape.
FULL FORCE OF THE LAW
The Eastern Cape government has warned participants in anti-illegal immigration protests across the province that anyone engaging in violence, intimidation or incitement will face the full force of the law.
The warning comes as the deadline set by some civic organisations for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa has arrived.
Thousands of foreign nationals have voluntarily returned to their home countries, while thousands more are being assisted through repatriation programmes.
At the same time, the South African government is processing the deportation of people who do not qualify to remain in the country.
Violence erupted in kuGompo in March during a protest over the coronation of a self-proclaimed Nigerian king.
However, a protest against undocumented foreign nationals held in the city last week passed off without incident.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane said law enforcement agencies are on high alert across the province to prevent any unlawful activity.
“And we appreciate that last week’s march in the province, kuGompo, was conducted in compliance with the law. I call for the same responsible approach.”
The provincial government has reiterated that immigration matters must be addressed through lawful and orderly processes.
Ntuthuzelo Nene
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