Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stands his ground in defending the more than R600 million spent on the police operation during the June 30 protests
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says South Africa may have faced widespread destruction and loss of life had authorities not mounted a massive security operation ahead of the June 30 protests, defending the more than R600 million spent on the deployment.
As questions continue to swirl around the cost of the operation, Cachalia insisted the expenditure was necessary to ensure the country did not experience a repeat of the violent unrest that has previously left communities devastated and the economy reeling.
Speaking during an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration media briefing on Sunday, Cachalia said the funding came entirely from the existing South African Police Service (SAPS) budget and was used to mobilise resources needed to respond to a potential security threat.
"There have been a lot of questions about the cost of police action on June the 30th," Cachalia said.
