Police in Mpumalanga are increasing their presence and establishing roadblocks ahead of a planned anti-migrant march on June 30, 2024 [1].
The mobilization aims to prevent looting and violence during a shutdown targeting undocumented foreign nationals. Such protests often risk escalating into widespread civil unrest and targeted attacks on immigrant communities.
Major General Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi, the Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Commissioner, said the force is operationally prepared [1]. As part of the strategy to maintain order, police will stage a parade to outline specific operational measures for the duration of the protests [2].
Law enforcement activities will focus on key transit and commercial hubs. Authorities are setting up roadblocks along the N4 highway [1]. Additionally, police are conducting operations at selected shops within the Mbombela CBD [1].
Organizers of the march have attempted to preempt chaos. Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, an organizer of the event, said participants should maintain a non-violent approach to the demonstration [3].
"We call on all participants to remain peaceful and not engage in looting or violence," Ngobese-Zuma said [3].
The police presence is intended to secure the area before, during, and after the June 30 events [2]. The focus remains on ensuring that the right to protest does not result in the destruction of property, or loss of life.
“"We call on all participants to remain peaceful and not engage in looting or violence."”
The deployment of high-level police resources and the establishment of roadblocks on major arteries like the N4 indicate a high perceived risk of instability. By focusing on the Mbombela CBD, authorities are attempting to protect economic hubs from the type of opportunistic looting that has historically accompanied anti-migrant sentiment in the region.
