KZN police cancel all leave, tighten sick leave ahead of June 30
Police sources also confirmed to The Witness that all police officers on leave have been instructed to return to work.
KwaZulu-Natal police have cancelled all leave and imposed strict controls on sick leave, placing the entire provincial force on high alert ahead of the planned June 30 marches linked to undocumented immigrants.
An internal directive issued by the office of the provincial police commissioner on June 23, seen by The Witness, orders that all South African Police Service (SAPS) members must return to duty from June 24 “until further notice”.
Police sources also confirmed to The Witness that those on leave have been instructed to return to work.
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The instruction, based on a National Crime Combating Forum directive, applies across all districts, stations and specialised units in the province.
“All leave for SAPS members within the province is cancelled… The members must return to work,”
In an unusual escalation, officers booked off sick will be subjected to daily visits by their commanders.
Any member leaving home for medical reasons must inform their commander and specify the health facility they are attending, according to the directive.
Commanders have also been ordered to confirm that all members have been notified and recalled for active duty.
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The full-scale mobilisation of police resources comes as authorities brace for potential unrest linked to the June 30 deadline and planned marches targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
On Tuesday, during a press briefing, police identified uMgungundlovu and eThekwini as key hotspots requiring heightened monitoring.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major-General Phumelele Makoba warned that the scale of the marches expected to take place across multiple locations could stretch police resources and create opportunities for criminal activity.
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Police have also raised concerns that while marches may be peaceful, there is a risk that “criminal elements” could hijack gatherings to incite violence, intimidate communities or commit crimes.
uMgungundlovu and eThekwini have already experienced rising tensions in recent weeks, with protests, isolated violence and the displacement of foreign nationals in parts of Pietermaritzburg.
Police have developed an operational plan involving multiple agencies, including the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), to ensure stability before, during and after June 30.
