President Ramaphosa on G20, Gang Violence, and Border Security

Police Deployment Authority

• 💡 President Ramaphosa clarified he is not responsible for authorizing the deployment of the South African Police Service Special Task Force or National Intervention Unit.
• 📌 Such deployments fall under the statutory and operational authority of the National Commissioner of Police.

Urban Renewal and G20 Preparation

• 🏙️ The President expressed displeasure with the state of cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, acknowledging poor local government.
• 🚀 He highlighted that G20 visits serve as a benchmark for urban cleanup, citing examples from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and New Delhi.
• ✅ Ramaphosa urged all citizens to collaborate in improving cities, drawing parallels to the 2010 World Cup preparations.

Combating Gang Violence in Western Cape

• ⚠️ There is a concerning rise in gang-related killings in Cape Town and other parts of the country, exemplified by the Philippi informal settlement murders.
• 🛠️ The South African Police Service (SAPS), with provincial and city governments, is implementing an integrated, intelligence-led approach to counter organized crime.
• 🎯 Operation Lockdown (phases 1, 2, and 3) involves deploying specialized national resources and tactical units to stabilize high-crime areas and disrupt gang operations.

Addressing Illegal Immigration

• 📈 Illegal immigration places significant strain on social services and undermines national security, prompting justifiable public concern.
• 🔒 The newly established Border Management Authority (BMA) has deployed 600 border guards and utilizes drones and body cameras to secure borders and prevent illegal entry.
• ✈️ An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system is being rolled out for G20 delegates, using machine learning and facial recognition to automate and secure immigration processes.
• 📊 In the past financial year, over 51,000 illegal immigrants were deported, with ongoing diplomatic engagements to address the issue.