The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State says it is fully prepared to maintain law and order during the anticipated nationwide anti-foreigner shutdown planned for June 30.

A provincial readiness parade was held at Bobbiespark in Bloemfontein on Sunday, bringing together members of SAPS, government departments, private security companies and other stakeholders forming part of the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJoints).

Addressing the parade, Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia stressed that police would uphold the Constitution while ensuring public safety during any demonstrations.

“The Constitution guarantees the right to protest peacefully,” Lesia said. “We must not be provoked and must ensure that those who wish to continue with their daily activities and businesses are able to do so peacefully.”

He warned that no individual or group would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and instructed officers to act decisively against anyone who breaks the law while remaining professional throughout the operation.

Free State MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula said authorities remain committed to protecting communities while tackling crime.

“We cannot allow gangsterism or vigilantism,” he said, urging residents not to be manipulated by individuals pursuing personal agendas. He also praised law enforcement officers for their continued efforts to maintain peace and order across the province.

Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, who inspected the parade, said similar readiness inspections were taking place across the country ahead of the planned demonstrations.

Mathale rejected claims that law enforcement agencies were targeting South Africans in favour of undocumented foreign nationals.

“There is a misconception that our forces are targeting South Africans in favour of illegal immigrants, and that is not so,” he said. “Our focus is on people who are in the country illegally, as well as employers who exploit undocumented foreign nationals by employing them unlawfully.”

He reiterated that while citizens have the constitutional right to protest, they must do so within the law.

“You have no right to assault people or act like police or immigration officials,” Mathale warned. “Anyone who takes the law into their own hands will be arrested.”

The Deputy Minister also called on municipalities to strengthen the enforcement of municipal by-laws, saying SAPS would assist where local authorities lacked capacity.

He thanked private security companies for working alongside law enforcement and concluded that the Free State was operationally prepared to ensure law and order during the planned shutdown.

Mathale urged deployed officers to work together, avoid acting independently and remain focused on protecting all people living in South Africa while taking action against those who are undocumented and anyone involved in criminal activity.

Major General Adams delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to law-abiding community members for rejecting criminal elements. He also thanked the province’s five district commissioners for maintaining operational readiness and acknowledged officers who had been recalled from leave to support the deployment.

The parade concluded with a march-past, which was inspected by Deputy Minister Mathale as a demonstration of the province’s operational preparedness ahead of Tuesday’s planned action.