The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) says most of the June 30 demonstrations across South Africa were peaceful, with more than 900 people arrested during isolated incidents of unrest.
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Newspapers
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) has announced that more 900 people were arrested during June 30 nationwide demonstrations, with the majority of those arrested being illegal foreigners.
It also confirmed that a total of 120 marches took place nationwide.
Of these, 108 were peaceful, while 12 required law enforcement intervention due to incidents of unrest.
NatJoints was providing updates in Pretoria on Friday on the June 30 demonstrations across the country, following marches in which some people were arrested and others were shot.
The briefing comes after nationwide protests on Tuesday targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
More than 20 civic groups, led by the March and March movement, called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Protests took place across all nine provinces, with organisers maintaining their demand that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country.
The organisers set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to self-deport.
Some demonstrations in several provinces were marred by tensions that led to shootings and arrests. Businesses across the country were also closed as the protests took place.
There was a heavy police presence and law enforcement officers on the ground to maintain law and order during the protests.
NatJoints chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said South Africans exercised their constitutional rights, and the overwhelming majority did so peacefully, responsibly and within the confines of the law.
More than 900 people were arrested during the June 30 demonstrations, with the majority of those detained described as illegal foreigners following sporadic incidents of looting and violence.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
She thanked the leadership of the various march organisers.
“We thank them for working with law enforcement, for encouraging their supporters to remain peaceful, and for ensuring that their followers adhered to the Constitution and obeyed the laws of our country.”
“Your leadership contributed significantly to maintaining public order and ensuring that South Africans were able to exercise their democratic rights safely. We also thank every South African who heeded the call to demonstrate peacefully and responsibly.”
Despite the incidents that occurred, she said law enforcement officers worked tirelessly throughout the night to ensure that peace, safety and stability prevailed.
“And indeed, while there were opportunistic criminal elements that sought to exploit the situation, they were identified and dealt with swiftly and decisively by law enforcement.”
“Their actions did not undermine the overall stability of the country, and our operational readiness ensured that law and order were maintained throughout.”
She said overnight, reinforcements were deployed to various parts of Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Western Cape in response to isolated incidents of looting and criminality.
“Law enforcement agencies acted swiftly to stabilise the affected areas, restore order and prevent any further disruption. The situation remains under control, and the areas remain under constant monitoring.”
Mosikili said that as of Wednesday morning, a total of 120 marches took place nationwide.
“Of these marches, 108 were peaceful, while only 12 required law enforcement intervention due to incidents of unrest.”
A breakdown is as follows:
According to her, this was a clear demonstration that the overwhelming majority of South Africans chose peace over disorder.
“While the vast majority of demonstrations remained peaceful, there were individuals who sought to exploit yesterday's events to commit criminal acts.”
“Unfortunately for them, they quickly discovered that law enforcement was on their heels and ready to act decisively. Our members responded swiftly wherever incidents of looting, robbery, public violence and other criminal activities emerged.”
She confirmed that more than 900 people were arrested during yesterday’s operations.
“The majority of those arrested were illegal foreigners and looting as a result of law enforcement operations conducted alongside the protests.”
Mosikili said some were arrested for public violence, some for harbouring illegal immigrants, and others for business robberies at spaza shops.
Breakdown of arrests in provinces:
• The Western Cape recorded 215 arrests for various crimes, including public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
• The Eastern Cape recorded 208 arrests for various crimes, including public violence, contravention of the Immigration Act, incitement to commit violence and looting.
• KwaZulu-Natal recorded 153 arrests for various crimes, including looting, public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
• The Free State recorded 132 arrests for various crimes, including public violence, contravention of the Immigration Act, looting and business robberies.
• The North West Province recorded 83 arrests for various crimes, including looting, public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
Law enforcement authorities say most of the 120 marches held across the country on June 30 were peaceful, even as isolated incidents of violence, looting and arrests were recorded in several provinces.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo
• Gauteng recorded more than 82 arrests for various crimes, including looting, public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
• The Northern Cape recorded 51 arrests for various crimes, including looting, public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
• Limpopo recorded 26 arrests for various crimes, including looting, public violence and contravention of the Immigration Act.
• Mpumalanga recorded seven arrests for public violence-related charges.
Mosikili added, “These arrests demonstrate that our law enforcement agencies were not merely present - they were proactive, disciplined and effective.”
“Those who sought to exploit yesterday's demonstrations for criminal gain were identified, pursued and brought before the law.”
Mosikili said police and law enforcement officers will continue with their operations.
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