JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- South African police on Wednesday met representatives of the private security industry to coordinate security arrangements ahead of anti-immigration protests, planned for June 30, amid concerns over possible unrest and xenophobic violence.
The meeting came as anti-immigration groups, including the March and March, have called on undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30 and have organized demonstrations in several communities of the country.
Noting the "heightened level of public concern and anxiety" about the demonstrations scheduled for next week, Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia said the police and the private security agreed to work together to maintain peace during the protest.
Puleng Dimpane, acting national commissioner of the South African Police Service, said that they will work with the private security and municipal police to maintain the law and public order, and to protect lives and property.
"We will act decisively against any individual or group that seeks to engage in criminal conduct. The blocking of roads, intimidation of communities, destruction of property, attacks on businesses, looting, violence and any attempts to undermine public order will not be tolerated," she said.
According to local media, anti-foreign national demonstrations were reported on Wednesday in KuGompo in Eastern Cape Province, Musina in Limpopo Province and Soweto in Gauteng Province.
South African authorities have repeatedly stressed that while the constitutional right to peaceful protest will be respected. However, any acts of violence, intimidation or vigilantism will be dealt with in accordance with the law. ■