Lesufi warns Gauteng will not tolerate violence ahead of June 30 shutdown

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has warned that any violence or criminality linked to the planned 30 June 2026 shutdown over illegal immigration will be met with firm action, and urged residents to remain calm and allow law enforcement to act.

Measures and preparations in Gauteng

Lesufi said the province supports the right to peaceful protest but “we will not allow anyone to use the protest as an excuse for taking the law into their own hands.” He told reporters Gauteng has put measures in place to ensure public safety and stability ahead of the planned demonstrations.

According to IOL, Gauteng is home to a large number of foreign nationals. Lesufi said while government acknowledges concerns about illegal immigration, protests must remain within the law and that the provincial government is engaging stakeholders to seek long-term solutions.

Law enforcement briefed and ready

Lesufi said law enforcement agencies in the province have been briefed on the planned demonstrations and are ready to respond. “We have met with law enforcement agencies in our province, and they have briefed us on the strategy to ensure that everything on the 30th of June and beyond is handled within the law with zero tolerance for violence,” he said.

He called on residents to cooperate with law enforcement as preparations continue and reiterated that the provincial government is committed to protecting all people and property in Gauteng.

National security response

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told a national security briefing that South Africa’s security apparatus is fully prepared for the 30 June shutdown and that law enforcement has been placed on heightened alert following a review of the integrated NATJOINTS operational plan.

Cachalia said authorities recorded several serious violent incidents during a recent voter registration weekend, including cases of murder and public violence, and that police had recorded 12 incidents nationally with four murders. He confirmed arrests linked to assault, malicious damage to property and public violence.

“Our message is clear: everyone has the constitutional right to protest peacefully and within the confines of the law,” Cachalia said, adding that criminality, intimidation and destruction of property would not be tolerated.

Cachalia said the South African Police Service had elevated operational readiness across all provinces, with continuous monitoring and deployment plans to protect communities and key infrastructure, and that the South African National Defence Force could be deployed if additional capacity was required. Government said coordination within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster had been strengthened to ensure rapid response capability ahead of the planned demonstrations.