Gauteng mobilises police, community forces as June 30 protest deadline approaches

Gauteng police say they have mobilised a large law enforcement and community safety effort as a June 30 deadline set by anti-illegal immigration groups approaches. Lieutenant General Tommy Mthobeni, the Gauteng Police Commissioner, outlined preparations as the province released its fourth‑quarter crime statistics for the 2025/26 reporting period in Kempton Park.

Thousands of officers and volunteers ready

Mthobeni said the province’s response includes contributions from more than 9,000 Community Policing Forum (CPF) members and over 8,000 Gauteng Traffic wardens. He described the deployment as part of a collective, multi‑agency approach, adding that the province has adopted a government plan built on six pillars of policing approved since 2022.

“Yes, of course, we are ready. I would say collectively, we are ready. We have adopted the whole government approach with six pillars of policing, which have been approved by the government since 2022. We are really hard at work,”

Partnerships and planning

Alongside SAPS resources, Mthobeni said Gauteng is working with a wide range of stakeholders, including Business Against Crime South Africa and the private security industry. He said the province has a network of more than 217 security partners and 9,000 community members within policing structures to help manage tensions around the deadline.

“We are partnering with them, and this was a follow-up meeting we had yesterday,” Mthobeni added, underlining ongoing liaison with community leaders and security stakeholders.

Organisers say protests will be peaceful; officials warn of risks

KwaZulu‑Natal activist Nkosikhona Ndabandaba, who has called for nationwide action on June 30, told media the planned protests would be peaceful and non‑violent. According to the reporting, Ndabandaba said a six‑month notice was issued on 7 December 2025 to give undocumented individuals time to prepare.

Despite assurances from organisers, Gauteng Community Safety Portfolio Committee chairperson Dr Bandile Masuku warned of the risks such demonstrations could pose to residents and state property. He said his biggest concern is the possibility of looting and destruction similar to unrest in July.

“We cannot continue to do nothing about these types of protests and actions, which sometimes border on hatred. We need the government to act. The President has allayed our fears, and we just need to make sure that everybody who is within our borders is accounted for and is known,”

Focus on maintaining order

The planning described by Mthobeni reflects an emphasis on visible, coordinated policing and community engagement aimed at preventing escalation. The province’s stated goal is to ensure stability and public safety around the anticipated protests tied to the June 30 deadline.