'They will have to pay the costs': Cachalia warns June 30 protest organisers over violence

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has criticised organisers of planned nationwide protests

Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has criticised organisers of planned nationwide protests, saying claims that the action serves the public interest are false and that the protests are instead causing economic, financial, human, and diplomatic harm.

Speaking during the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration briefing in Pretoria on Friday, Cachalia said the government has a duty to protect citizens, uphold the law, and ensure the country remains safe and secure.

"There's a narrative out there propagated by those who are organising this reckless and disruptive behaviour that they are acting in the interests of our citizens, in the interests of our people," he said.

"In fact, their behaviour has economic, financial, human, and diplomatic costs, as we heard from Minister Lamola. Indeed, they are acting in a way that harms our citizens' well-being and our national interests".

His comments come as South Africa braces for mass protests against undocumented immigration scheduled for June 30, led by groups including March and March and Operation Dudula and others.

The government has already activated a special policing operation for the day, with Cachalia saying that about R600 million has been set aside to secure the response, including the deployment of additional officers and protection of critical infrastructure.

He warned that those involved in organising disruptive behaviour accompanied by violence, including incidents where fatalities have been reported, could face both criminal prosecution and civil liability for damages.

“So those who are involved in organising this disruptive behaviour accompanied by violence, we have heard that there have been fatalities, will have to pay the costs of both their criminal actions, and they will also be held civilly liable,” he added..

“I do not know if many of them are aware that they can be held civilly liable for any injury or damage to property that is the result of their efforts at incitement. So, what we’re experiencing is not costless. And that must become part of the national conversation".