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South Africa mounts R600m police operation ahead of 30 June deadline set by anti-immigrant groups
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said a special SAPS operation to counter efforts to destabilise the country costs more than R600m. Officials addressed preparations for protests set by anti-immigrant groups.
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Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said on 22 June 2026 that a special South African Police Service operation against efforts to destabilise the country is costing taxpayers more than R600m. Cachalia spoke alongside Defence Minister Angie Motshekga and acting national commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane at a press conference on preparations ahead of the 30 June deadline set by anti-immigrant groups.
Cachalia warned that violence will not be tolerated and that no one may participate in protest action armed.
He said everyone has the constitutional right to protest peacefully and within the confines of the law, but added that criminality, intimidation, violence, the destruction of property and any attempt to undermine public safety will not be tolerated.
"There is no reason why anybody should come to protest with any kind of instrument which could be used as a weapon," Cachalia said. " A man was attacked with a sjambok at an anti-immigrant protest in Jeppestown last month, according to AllAfrica reporting.
