Gauteng police target ‘habitual criminals’ amid immigration protests

Gauteng police have ramped up operations targeting repeat offenders amid protests over illegal immigration, saying dozens were arrested and illegal activity was curbed using aerial and camera technology.

Who, what and where

Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said law enforcement identified and arrested people he described as “habitual criminals” who exploited the protests against illegal immigration to commit crimes.

Arrests and incident numbers

Mthombeni gave statistics for the province during the recent demonstrations: Ekurhuleni recorded 49 arrests, the City of Johannesburg 41, Sedibeng 30, Tshwane 18 and the West Rand 16.

He stated:

“We have accounted for 37 incidents with 154 arrests. So, it means people, even if they are warned, still commit these crimes. We are dealing with habitual criminals. This came out clearly yesterday. Despite the previous warning, we have encountered high numbers of arrests within the province.”

National context and policing response

Nationally, the source reported that 1,000 people were arrested during the June 30 nationwide protests. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), led by acting police minister Firoz Cachalia, warned that law enforcement would monitor further demonstrations.

Use of technology and operational tactics

Mthombeni described a multi-stakeholder operational posture under the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) that included the mobilisation of helicopters, drones and over 33,000 cameras ahead of the nationwide protests.

He credited those tools for helping to identify people intent on committing crime during demonstrations and said:

“People thought I was joking. So, the utilisation of this drone technology with thermal capabilities has made sure that we are in a position to arrest a high number of people. And I’m telling you, some of the people, they’re going to struggle to get bail.”

Political and civic engagement

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi spoke with Mthombeni and praised law enforcement and protest organisers for maintaining a degree of order, while acknowledging the arrests. Lesufi said the province will convene a two-day summit with civic movements such as March and March and human rights organisations to seek lasting solutions to the immigration issue.

Lesufi said:

“We will be convening a two-day summit with the organisers of the marches and the human rights commission and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the immigration challenge. Unfortunately, 154 people have been arrested across the province, with the highest number recorded in Ekurhuleni.”

Protest organisers and next steps

The source reported that the leader of the March and March movement, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, told people in Durban that Thursdays will be dedicated to countrywide protests against migration. Lesufi said the province would seek a proactive approach to balance the right to protest with public safety and that officials would enter into negotiations with organisers.

This article is based on reporting by IOL.