The biggest private security firm in South Africa is preparing for mass social unrest
South Africa’s largest private security company, Fidelity Services Group, says it has activated contingency measures and is preparing for possible unrest ahead of nationwide anti-illegal-immigration protests scheduled for 30 June 2026.
This is in response to heightened tensions following recent vigilante attacks on foreign nationals in several parts of the country.
These incidents have resulted in thousands of citizens from Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zimbabwe returning home.
The looming demonstrations have stoked fears of a repeat of the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng that followed the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma.
The riots were the worst civil unrest South Africa had experienced since 1994, leaving more than 300 people dead and thousands of businesses looted or destroyed.
The groups behind the planned protests have framed their campaign as opposition to illegal immigration rather than xenophobia.
They argue that undocumented migrants contribute to problems such as crime and unemployment and are demanding stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
They have also called for more immigration officers, tighter border controls and the mass deportation of undocumented foreign nationals.
With 30 June being promoted by organisers as a day of national shutdown, Fidelity Services Group said it is working closely with authorities to ensure it is ready to respond if violence or disruption occurs.
According to CEO Wahl Bartmann, the company’s National Joint Operations Centre is coordinating with relevant agencies as the situation develops.
“Our teams are on standby with comprehensive contingency plans in place to manage any potential incidents arising from the planned protest action,” Bartmann said.
As part of those preparations, Fidelity has placed helicopter and drone pilots on standby and is ready to deploy additional resources, including specialised personnel and armoured personnel carriers, where needed.
“We will also be closely monitoring public-space cameras within our network to assist with situational awareness and rapid response,” Bartmann added.
South African army is on standby
The company said it can expand staffing at its Joint Operations Centre to strengthen risk analysis and operational coordination if conditions deteriorate.
“We are also prepared to support recovery efforts through both air and ground resources, working in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Identified hotspot areas will be closely monitored by our teams,” Bartmann said.
Based on current intelligence, Fidelity believes the greatest concerns are centred on specific transport routes, town centres, business districts, municipal offices and foreign-owned businesses.
KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng have also been identified as the provinces most likely to experience unrest.
The company warned that disruptions could include road blockages, delays to staff movement, intimidation of foreign-owned businesses, workplace documentation checks, temporary business closures, retail interruptions and pressure on public service facilities.
Bartmann said Fidelity continues to gather verified intelligence through its operational partners and monitoring networks and would provide updates should credible information emerge.
“The company remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and will immediately communicate any credible information received through its intelligence and operational channels,” he said.
The government is also stepping up preparations. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said additional police officers would be deployed to potential hotspots.
He added that authorities would work with provincial and municipal leaders, private security firms and community policing forums to ensure readiness.
“The people involved in efforts of destabilisation should know that we are deploying on the basis of our constitutional responsibility to keep the country safe,” Cachalia said.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said the South African National Defence Force has also been placed on standby as a contingency measure.
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