Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has called for mutual respect as South African Police Service (SAPS) officers are deployed ahead of the June 30 protests.

He made the remarks at a police parade in KwaZulu-Natal ahead of the nationwide operational deployment.

Cachalia emphasises the need to maintain law and order while protecting the rights of South Africans.

“We have our own cultures, our own experiences, our own value systems which have taught us the values of mutual respect of the importance of human dignity; and you don’t need a Constitution to remind South Africans that those are our deep values. You can say in fact that this Constitution is an expression of those deep values. We didnt start to have values only when we adopted a constitution, we had those deep values that were born in a struggle for freedom against colonialism, against apartheid.”

#PoliceMinistry [ADDRESS BY ACTING MINISTER OF POLICE, MR FIROZ CACHALIA, AT THE PARADE AHEAD OF JUNE 30 OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT, ON SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2026 IN DURBAN, KWA-ZULU-NATAL] Today we stand together ahead of an important operational deployment. On Tuesday, South Africans in… pic.twitter.com/bi9rR9suOo

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) June 28, 2026

VIDEO | Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia marshals SAPS ahead of 30 June protests

The parade, attended by Premier Thami Ntuli and Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba, is aimed at showcasing the province’s readiness to maintain law and order during the planned marches.

Cachalia reminded police of their responsibilities.

“As you are deployed, remember that you are ambassadors of the SAPS and the most important custodians of the constitutional values you have sworn to protect. Our Constitution not only protects the rights of individuals; it is also there to ensure the safety and security of our people. That, too, is a constitutional commitment.”

-Reporting by Salma Patel 

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