Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has called on South Africans to demonstrate unity and professionalism as the country hosts the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first to take place on African soil.
Speaking at the final security parade in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Cachalia addressed members of the SAPS, SANDF, metro police and various support agencies. He said the global spotlight would be on South Africa, placing responsibility not only on security forces but also on ordinary citizens.
“The eyes of the world will be on us,” he said. “They will be watching how we conduct ourselves. Not only our law enforcement agencies, but our citizens. They will see a country that is united, they will see what we have achieved in the last 30 years.”
Cachalia noted that the summit’s declaration would shape international cooperation in the years to come, adding that South Africa’s global image depends on the conduct of both officials and the public.
His remarks followed warnings from Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, who expressed concern over unexplained recent power outages affecting key institutions. Lesufi described the incidents as attempts by “dark forces” to interfere with preparations but assured the public that authorities were ready “for every eventuality.”
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola instructed officers to carry out strict access control and avoid granting exceptions. “There is no if or but,” he said. “If somebody is not supposed to enter a specific place, there is no ‘you know who I am?’”
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi praised law enforcement for ensuring that more than 120 related events earlier in the year were held without major incidents. She urged the public to cooperate with temporary road closures and security measures.
Cachalia encouraged officers to continue the same high level of coordination and professionalism beyond the summit. “I would hope that the work we have shown we can do when we host the world is the work that we can do every day to defend our people and strengthen our democracy,” he said.
