Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was at the Gauteng Operations Command Centre on June 30 alongside the SAPS as law enforcement finalised preparations for demonstrations scheduled to take place across the province.

The premier received a state of readiness briefing from SAPS Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.

The briefing focused on deployment plans, contingency measures, and co-ordination structures ahead of the planned protest action.

According to the update from the SAPS Command Centre, helicopters and drones are being used to provide continuous monitoring and real-time footage directly to the operations hub.

Authorities say the aerial surveillance is intended to support a co-ordinated response on the ground, track crowd movements, and assist with rapid deployment where needed across multiple locations in the province.

The Command Centre remains active for the duration of today’s demonstrations, with SAPS saying it is working to balance the right to protest with public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Motorists and residents in affected areas have been urged to plan ahead and follow official updates as the operations continue.

“The SAPS are well prepared to combat the criminality that is associated with these protests,” said Mthombeni.

“We aim to keep the public safe amid these tensions in the country,” said Lesufi.