Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has warned that anyone inciting violence or breaking the law during anti-illegal immigration protests on June 30 will be tracked and arrested as police deploy helicopters, drones and more than 33,000 CCTV cameras across the province.
The warning comes as authorities ramp up security ahead of planned demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
Mthombeni announced the extensive security measures ahead of planned demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJOINTS) briefed the media in Eldorado Park police station on Thursday about its state of readiness for the protests, which are calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
Mthombeni said authorities would monitor developments both on the ground and from the air.
“We are making arrangements to deploy helicopters and drones,” he said.
“Indeed, we have mobilised extensively, and we will have what is called a downlink so that we can observe activities as they happen in real time.
“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.”
The provincial commissioner said police would make full use of available technology and warned lawbreakers that they would not evade accountability.
“We have more than 33,000 CCTV cameras. We cannot take any warning lightly in the course of our daily duties. Whenever we receive information about a possible protest, we prepare accordingly.
“You cannot wake up and assume the issue has died down. We are prepared and have planned accordingly with all our stakeholders, including the community.”
At a media briefing in Midrand on Wednesday, more than 20 anti-migrant organisations and civil society groups involved in the protests pledged that the demonstrations would be peaceful and would not result in violence, looting or loss of life.
However, March and March movement leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma said her organisation would not take responsibility if anything went wrong during the protests.
She argued that maintaining public order is the responsibility of the state.
Mthombeni welcomed the groups’ commitment to peaceful action.
“We welcome that and appreciate those types of messages,” he said.
“But that does not mean we will relax our preparations. As I indicated, we are taking this matter seriously.”
Gauteng is among several key provinces being closely monitored as authorities prepare for any eventuality.
Mthombeni confirmed that some organisations had submitted applications to hold protests.
“I must indicate that we have received a number of applications in terms of the Gatherings Act, and we are processing them in accordance with Section 4 of the Act,” he said.
“There is also the broader issue of managing public gatherings and ensuring they take place within the framework of the law.
“We welcome these applications because they allow us to streamline activities together with the organisers.
“I will not disclose how many applications we have received or where the marches will take place. Otherwise, people will say they acted in good faith only for us to announce their plans publicly.”
On Monday, acting police minister Professor Firoz Cachalia repeatedly warned that criminality, intimidation, incitement to violence and the destruction of property would not be tolerated.
He also announced that the government had allocated more than R600 million for a national security operation ahead of the June 30 protests.
IOL News
Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
