PRETORIA, Gauteng – As the country prepares for the planned 30 June anti-illegal immigration protests, the Police Portfolio Committee is closely assessing national security readiness and public safety measures. Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron, alongside Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) CEO Manabela Chauke, has detailed the collaborative security strategies and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing a repeat of the July 2021 unrest.
PSIRA CEO Manabela Chauke emphasized that the private security industry has learned critical lessons from the July 2021 riots. Chauke stated that proactive planning has replaced the reliance on hindsight, with over half a million security officers expected to remain on duty on June 30. He assured the public that the industry is prepared to act as a force multiplier to ensure national protection.
During a recent broadcast, Cameron addressed historical concerns regarding private security companies allegedly profiling and shooting black individuals in 2021. Cameron dismissed these claims as a gross generalization, noting that many allegations remain inadequately probed. He highlighted a positive recent engagement between security companies, the acting minister of police, and the acting national commissioner. Cameron explained that security personnel will don “South African flag hats” to demonstrate unified support for the South African Police Service (SAPS) rather than displaying individual company logos.
Responding to critiques that private security firms employ lowly paid foreign nationals who might lack restraint, Cameron maintained that such instances represent a far fringe minority. He noted that PSIRA actively polices the sector, citing over 30 recent arrests of unregistered security officers, comprising both South African and foreign nationals.
While acknowledging the extensive security preparations, Cameron adopted a “proof is in the pudding” approach regarding the actual outcome on June 30, despite assurances from Minister Angie Motshekga that the sun will rise and set as normal on the day. Cameron raised critical questions about the R600 million allegedly allocated to fund the special operation, advocating for transparency on how and why the funds are being spent. He suggested that proactive intelligence gathering since 2021 could have been more cost-effective than emergency mobilization.
Echoing sentiments from a recent opinion piece by Tony Leon, Cameron agreed that South Africa’s security architecture has been significantly hollowed out. He pointed out that SAPS currently has fewer operational members than it did a decade ago, despite population growth and increased migration. Furthermore, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) is operating at roughly 45% capacity. Cameron stressed that SAPS cannot manage the June 30 protests alone and requires a robust, collaborative effort.
Cameron expressed skepticism regarding the deployment of the military in support of Operation Prosper. He described the army’s mobilization as extremely disappointing, citing Cape Town as an example where initial projections of 800 soldiers dwindled to just 200 or 300. Cameron argued that the military is not trained for such domestic situations and emphasized that SAPS must take the lead in a structured collaborative framework.
Shifting focus to another major development, Cameron discussed the impending court appearance of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is set to be separated from his co-accused in the Medicare 24 contract case involving SAPS. Amid speculation that Matlala may turn state witness, Cameron noted that such a move could expose the extensive reach of Matlala’s influence across the criminal justice cluster, municipalities, and other industries—a topic frequently raised in recent testimonies at the Madlanga Commission.
If Matlala does become a state witness, Cameron warned that several high-profile figures have significant reason to be worried. He specifically named individuals such as Julius Mkhwanazi, and Mike van Wyk, alongside various local and national politicians, including former minister Beikle. Cameron also pointed to potential implications for senior SAPS members in supply chain and human resources, including brigadiers and major generals, who may have had direct relationships with Matlala prior to the Medicare 24 contract. He also referenced the currently suspended national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, in the context of these broader investigations.
Concluding on the state of law enforcement, Cameron highlighted a severe leadership vacuum within SAPS as a practical example of the hollowed-out security architecture. He criticized the failure to appoint a permanent provincial commissioner in the Western Cape following the impending retirement of General Thembisile Patekile. Cameron pointed out that the police service is currently burdened with numerous acting positions, including an acting national commissioner, acting minister, acting head of supply chain management, and an acting head of the DPCI. He attributed this systemic decay to a deliberate political attempt to hollow out law enforcement to shield individuals from facing consequences for corrupt dealings.
