Deputy Minister Polly Boshielo addresses law enforcement ahead of planned anti-immigration protests in South Africa.
Police have been ordered to act decisively against threats, incitement and violence linked to planned anti-immigration protests scheduled for June 30, with Deputy Minister of Police Polly Boshielo warning that law enforcement will not tolerate vigilantism, xenophobia or mob justice.
Addressing members of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) at the State of Readiness Parade on Friday, Boshielo said authorities were preparing for potential unrest following social media campaigns calling for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by the end of June.
While organisers have publicly described the planned actions as peaceful protests, Boshielo said previous demonstrations linked to the campaign had been associated with violence, looting and destruction of property.
“There will be no tolerance for vigilantism, no tolerance for xenophobic or any type of violence, no tolerance for intimidation and no tolerance for anyone, no matter who they are, who thinks they can decide who may or may not live in our communities,” she said.
