Despite widespread anticipation surrounding the planned anti-illegal immigration marches on June 30, the atmosphere remained calm at the Ginger Park and Clay Oven informal settlements in Paulshof, where residents went about their daily routines under the watch of law enforcement and private security.

Fidelity Lonehill Special Ops officers maintained a visible presence in and around the settlements, monitoring the situation as a precaution, but, at the time of publication, no demonstrations or incidents had been reported in the area.

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Lonehill Residents’ Association spokesperson Shelly Miller said additional security measures had been put in place to help maintain public order.

“The safety of our community remains our highest priority. With this in mind, the Lonehill Residents Association approved additional security measures on June 29 and June 30. The association has funded the deployment of a dedicated special operations team that will be based within Greater Lonehill.

“The team will work closely with our existing security resources and law enforcement partners, proactively monitoring developments, responding to incidents where required, and maintaining a heightened security presence throughout the area.

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“While there is currently no indication of any direct threat to Lonehill/Paulshof, we believe it is prudent to take a proactive approach and ensure that additional resources are available should they be needed.”

She added that the association would continue monitoring the situation and remain in contact with its security partners throughout the day.

We encourage residents to remain vigilant, stay informed through credible sources, and continue to report any suspicious activity through the appropriate security channels.

At the Ginger Park informal settlement, Tello Shadrake, a Lesotho national, said residents had heard reports of a planned march against illegal foreign nationals, but had not witnessed any protest activity.

“We have metro police, SAPS, and security watching us, so I don’t think anything will happen, and it’s still quiet.”

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Shadrake said the uncertainty surrounding the planned march had him carrying his passport wherever he went.

“I now carry my passport with me to be safe, and to show that I am here legally.”

He said many documented foreign nationals were hoping the day would remain peaceful, and that people would not be judged based solely on their nationality.

Across both Ginger Park and Clay Oven, residents continued with their normal activities as children played, people walked through the settlements, and traders carried on with business.

At the time of publication, the situation remained calm in Paulshof, with no confirmed marches or disruptions reported in the area.

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