South Africa police stage 'readiness' parade before anti-immigration protests

The South African Police Service staged a large-scale 'state of readiness' parade at Johannesburg's FNB Stadium on Friday, as authorities prepare for planned nationwide demonstrations on June 30. Footage shows police units, vehicles, reservists and private security personnel moving through the stadium in a coordinated display of force and readiness. Authorities said the exercise was intended to demonstrate the capability of the country's security cluster and reassure the public that the constitutional right to peaceful protest will be protected. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane warned that law enforcement would respond firmly to any violence or incitement. "Anyone who threatens violence against foreign nationals, who incites others to attack or loot, or who spreads messages calling for harm will be treated as a criminal suspect," Dimpane said. "The women and men of South African law enforcement and their partners chose the constitution over hatred, the rule of law over the rule of the mob and human dignity over fear," she emphasised. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi stressed that the government is not trying to intimidate peaceful protesters, but would act against those attempting to exploit the situation to incite violence. "We are not against any form of protest. We actually share the sentiments raised by protesters," Lesufi said. "We are here to ensure that South Africans are safe." He added that the government had opened space for engagement on immigration concerns, while warning against xenophobia and Afrophobia. "We have set aside two days to engage and find a permanent solution to issues of immigration and to ensure that we don't become people who are xenophobic or Afrophobic, or who reject the need to work with other nations," he noted. The mobilisation comes ahead of a June 30 deadline issued by the March and March movement and several anti-immigration groups, which have called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Earlier this week, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said R600 million (around €32 million) had been redirected within SAPS to strengthen operational readiness ahead of the planned demonstrations.