Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia tabled the budget vote for the SAPS in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia on Tuesday reiterated statements made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, that only the police and the Border Management Agency are allowed to arrest people for immigration offences.
Tabling the SAPS budget vote for 2026 in the National Council of Provinces, Cachalia said one cannot build a country that effectively implemented the rule of law, by breaking those same laws.
“As much as the police are directed to enforce the law against those who are in South Africa illegally, they are directed to do the same against anyone who acts violently or attacks people during protest action,” he said.
Cachalia made the statement two days after Ramaphosa addressed the nation stating that the responsibility for enforcing immigration laws rests with the state alone.
