The top brass of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have warned those who believe they can “hide behind social media platforms, anonymous messaging groups or community meetings to incite violence”, they will face the full might of the law.

The Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant- General Puleng Dimpane, together with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Chairperson, Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili, briefed the media in George, Western Cape on Wednesday, 3 June 2026 following violence aimed at foreigners over past weekend.

The delegation was joined by the Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, and the Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Khosi Senthumule.

The delegattion outlined interventions to restore and maintain law and order, as well as measures aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all residents across the country.

NATJOINTS has activated a comprehensive operational plan that brings together the South African Police Service, State Security Agency, Metro Police Departments, Traffic Law Enforcement, Home Affairs, Correctional Services, the South African National Defence Force and other key government stakeholders.

The operational plan focuses on key areas:

●Enhanced visibility and rapid deployment capabilities: Law enforcement officers have been deployed in identified hotspots and strategic areas across the country. Additional public order policing resources remain on standby to respond swiftly to any incidents that threaten public safety and stability.

●Secondly, intelligence-led operations: Intelligence structures are continuously gathering and analysing information to identify threats, detect planned acts of violence and support proactive interventions before criminal incidents occur. Those who believe they can hide behind social media platforms, anonymous messaging groups or community meetings to incite violence should know that law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring criminal conduct and will act where evidence exists.

●Targeted crime-combatting operations: Joint operations are being conducted to address criminality that may arise under the guise of community concerns. These include operations aimed at arresting wanted suspects, confiscating illegal firearms, addressing drug trafficking, disrupting extortion networks and dealing with undocumented persons through lawful immigration processes.