Kubayi: Authorities mobilised to prevent repeat of July 2021 unrest

Justice Minister Mamoloko Kubayi told media on Tuesday that authorities were working to ensure the violence seen during the July 2021 unrest is not repeated as mass protests over migration were due to start that day. Kubayi briefed journalists in Gauteng with Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni present.

Who is deployed and why

Kubayi, chair of the Inter‑Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, said the IMC had members deployed across the country and stressed the government’s obligation to preserve law and order and protect rights. She said authorities were working closely with organisers who had shared details of planned marches.

“We do know there has been an influence. People from outside, overnight money, and trips to destabilise the country.”

“Our obligation as government is to ensure there is law and order, and that no one’s rights are infringed,”

Start time and assurances

The marches were expected to start at about 9am, Kubayi said. She appealed for restraint while reiterating the right to protest: “We reiterate their right to express themselves, whether they are not happy with their own government, that cannot be taken away. But we are appealing for those who will be joining to do this in a peaceful manner and not cause harm.”

Lessons from July 2021 and the aim to avoid a repeat

Kubayi explicitly linked the preparations to lessons learned from the unrest in July 2021.

“You have taught us as citizens that July 2021 must never happen again in South Africa. We have listened to you, and we are ensuring it never happens again.”

Police plan and scale of mobilisation

Commissioner Mthombeni outlined a three‑phase plan of gathering intelligence, deploying resources, and ensuring long‑term community safety. He emphasised the scale of the security mobilisation and gave cifras for tools and partnerships in place.

“We have drones, helicopters – not less than 18 – and over 33,000 cameras monitoring in real time. We are working with 217 000 private security personnel, 13 000 community policing forum members, and thousands of metro police and traffic wardens,”

What officials said about approach and public order

Kubayi said the state was not seeking confrontation with citizens and that preparations had contributed to a calm start to the day. She reassured South Africans of law enforcement’s readiness as demonstrations were set to take place.

Practical notes from the briefing

• Authorities were working with organisers who had provided march details.
• The IMC said members were deployed across the country to support policing efforts.
• The provincial police commissioner described intelligence gathering and resource deployment as central to the plan.

The briefing emphasised prevention, monitoring and coordination as authorities’ priorities for managing the demonstrations and guarding against a repeat of the unrest experienced in July 2021.