Five years after the July Unrest, SA security forces are quietly preparing for June 30

A police officer attempting to stop looting during the unrest that rocked KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng in July 2021.

Five years after the July 2021 unrest overwhelmed parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, police – reportedly the worst episode of violence the country experienced since the end of apartheid – private security companies and security experts are coordinating their response ahead of planned nationwide anti-illegal immigration demonstrations on 30 June.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it is operationally prepared to police the demonstrations, while private security companies have activated contingency plans to support law enforcement should protests turn violent or disrupt businesses and communities.

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia this week received a detailed operational briefing from SAPS leadership and said he was satisfied with the service’s state of readiness.

“While the constitutional right to peaceful protest will be respected, no acts of lawlessness, violence, intimidation or criminality will be tolerated,” Cachalia said. He also confirmed that R600 million had been redirected within SAPS to ensure operational readiness ahead of the demonstrations.