KwaZulu-Natal police have warned that civilians are not permitted to search others or demand identification ahead of planned 30 June marches, saying only law enforcement has that authority.
Image: SAPS / X
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major-General Phumelele Makoba says those participating in planned marches on June 30 must not search other civilians or demand identification or proof of nationality, warning that such powers rest exclusively with law enforcement officers.
Makoba made the remarks during a media briefing on the state of policing in KwaZulu-Natal and preparations for the upcoming marches on Tuesday, where she outlined security readiness, enforcement priorities, and crime trends in the province.
Makoba said such conduct was illegal and not permitted under any circumstances.
“We are reminding those who will be engaging in marches that no civilian is allowed to search a fellow civilian and no civilian has a right to demand any form of identification or confirmation of nationality. That is the duty of law enforcement officers,” Makoba said.
She said while the right to protest is protected in law, it must be exercised within the boundaries of the law, warning that any acts of intimidation, public violence, road blockages or incitement would be dealt with accordingly.
Makoba also cautioned that “acts of intimidation, public violence, blockading roads and incitement of violence will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” adding that police will deploy accordingly to ensure stability before, during, and after the 30 June marches.
She stressed that police had already engaged with organisers of the planned marches and were expecting demonstrations to be peaceful, but said operational plans were in place to maintain order across the province.
“The 30th of June is a normal day, it’s a normal Tuesday, it is a working day in South Africa.
''Police will be out there to ensure that those who are going to work are going about their business and do so without fear or intimidation,” she said.
Makoba further said intelligence structures are actively monitoring developments and that police, together with other law enforcement agencies and partners, have developed a comprehensive operational plan.
“Planning for the marches is underway and areas of interest have been identified,” she said, adding that resources including drones and other capabilities, would be used to identify and respond to potential threats.
She said organisers of marches have a responsibility to appoint marshals to maintain order and ensure participants comply with regulations governing public gatherings, including restrictions on dangerous weapons.
“Section 4 of the Regulations of Gatherings Act prohibits participants from carrying any air gun, firearm, imitation firearm, or any mass loading firearm,” Makoba said.
Makoba added that officers would be deployed across the province to ensure that residents not participating in marches were able to go about their daily activities without fear or intimidation.
She emphasised that only law enforcement officers are legally mandated to verify identity and enforce immigration laws.
“It is a crime to be in South Africa without proper documentation,” she said.
Makoba said police would enforce the law without fear or favour and warned against attempts to take policing functions into private hands.
Makoba also reported a continued decline in several categories of serious crime in the province.
She said conduct crimes decreased by 14.8% in the 2025/2026 financial year, while attempted murder dropped by 6.7%. Sexual offences, she added, also showed a decline, with assault GBH decreasing by 2.2%.
“The continuous closure of illegal liquor outlets is bearing fruit,” Makoba said.
She added that rape cases in the province had also decreased by 2.2%, although Inanda remains a hotspot requiring ongoing intervention.
Makoba said the improvements were due to intensified policing, increased visibility, and strengthened partnerships with community structures.
From April 2025 to date, she said police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested 189,843 suspects for various crimes, including 55,269 arrests linked to contact crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, and robbery.
She added that police recovered 4,542 firearms and 77,290 rounds of ammunition during the same period.
Makoba said crimes against women and children remained a priority, with Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units arresting 7,026 suspects for rape-related offences, securing 498 convictions, and achieving 109 life imprisonment sentences through strong investigations and court processes.
She also noted that police had been involved in 33 shootout incidents since April 2025, during which 91 suspects were fatally wounded, saying officers continue to operate under dangerous conditions.
On immigration enforcement, Makoba said 8,556 foreign nationals had been arrested for being in the country illegally since April 2025, originating from multiple regions, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
“It does not matter where you come from; if you are in the country illegally, the law will take its course,” she said.
She said 221 employers had been sanctioned for hiring undocumented foreign nationals, with Amajuba district, eThekwini, and uMgungundlovu among the most affected areas, recording 40, 55 and 44 cases respectively.
Makoba reiterated that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, it must not be used as cover for unlawful activity, saying police would remain deployed to ensure peace, order and stability across KwaZulu-Natal.
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