KwaZulu-Natal authorities say the province remained largely calm during nationwide protests against illegal immigration, with Transport MEC Siboniso Duma reporting no major disruptions on key routes across the province.
Image: KZN Health / Facebook
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma says the province remained largely peaceful during Tuesday’s nationwide anti-illegal immigration protests, with no major disruptions recorded across key transport corridors, despite heightened security operations.
Duma said provincial teams had been on duty from the early hours of the morning, monitoring key routes including the N3, N2 and other major corridors to ensure stability and the free flow of traffic.
“Some of us have been up since four o’clock,” he said, adding that operations began in Mooi River where teams from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the taxi unit were deployed to monitor movement across the province.
He said most districts experienced normal operations throughout the day, with only isolated incidents reported in Mariannhill and Cato Manor, which were swiftly contained by authorities.
“We are proud to mention that in all our districts, things were smooth in the majority of the areas; however, we have to highlight that in Mariannhill and Clermont there were some incidents that were contained and managed instantly,” he said.
Duma said officials also visited eThekwini’s Joint Operations Centre to verify preparedness ahead of the demonstrations, noting that planning had begun days earlier.
“We started the journey on the 26th when we were preparing for the 30th, just to ensure that everything was in place,” he said.
He thanked President Cyril Ramaphosa for the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to support law enforcement during the operation.
“We do have soldiers who were part and parcel of the joint operation. It has been smooth and it has assisted us in the journey,” Duma said.
He added that the coordinated work of security structures had contributed to a calm outcome across the province.
“We are glad and delighted that in the province of KwaZulu-Natal it was peaceful,” he said.
Duma said there were no major incidents linked to the protests in the province.
Meanwhile, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane said the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government had successfully concluded its contingency operations on 30 June, describing the day as one marked by “unwavering service delivery and proactive safety measures”.
She said all public health facilities across KwaZulu-Natal’s 11 districts operated normally throughout the day, with healthcare workers reporting for duty and patient services continuing without interruption.
“All public health facilities across KZN’s 11 districts operated 100% normally this morning. Healthcare workers reported for duty, and patient services continued without interruption, ensuring that access to care was not compromised,” she said.
Simelane said the day ended with a joint roadblock operation at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza, led jointly by herself and Transport MEC Siboniso Duma.
She said emergency medical services personnel had been placed on high alert, adding that the province had received a positive response from truck drivers who used provincial health and safety services during the operation.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government successfully concluded its contingency operations today, June 30. It was a day marked by unwavering service delivery and proactive safety measures,” she said.
“With dozens of EMS personnel on high alert, we are proud to report a positive response from truck drivers who used our dedicated health services,” she added.
Simelane said the province remained committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all road users and patients, adding that interdepartmental coordination had been central to the day’s operations.
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