Winde authorises Joint Operations Centre in prep for anti-immigrant protests

Protests organised by groups such as March and March have occurred in several Western Cape locations, including Mossel Bay, Overstrand, Stellenboch and Cape Agulhas. Some demonstrations have involved violence, including the reported deaths of two Mozambican nationals in Mossel Bay in May. Additional marches were expected in the following days. Winde stated that while the right to protest is respected, it must remain lawful and peaceful. He described violence as unacceptable and noted that the issue had already produced unrest in parts of the province.

In response, the Western Cape government convened meetings with the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, the Department of Home Affairs and municipalities. A Joint Operations Centre led by the Provincial Disaster Management Centre was activated to identify potential flashpoints, monitor social media and coordinate responses. The plan rests on four priorities: visible policing in hotspots, strengthened intelligence networks, proactive public communications and rapid mediation. The province has also maintained contact with foreign diplomatic missions.

Winde called on all foreign nationals without legal documentation to regularise their status in line with immigration laws. The provincial administration welcomed the establishment of a national Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration by President Cyril Ramaphosa and offered support for its work. Official statements emphasised contingency planning and enforcement measures to prevent further disorder.

Coverage of the Western Cape measures has appeared in national and international outlets, including Chinese outlet Xinhua. The official Western Cape government website published a detailed outline of the Joint Operations Centre activation and Winde’s appeal for lawful conduct. Other reporting has placed the provincial steps within the broader national context of anti-immigrant demonstrations and government efforts to manage irregular migration through enforcement and repatriation channels.