JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has thrown his support behind anti-illegal immigration protesters.
But he warns that the law must not be broken.
It comes as the Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is set to meet with premiers to discuss security operations. Gauteng officials will also receive a briefing on Tuesday afternoon on how to ensure the planned protests are peaceful.
Some groups have given undocumented migrants a deadline of 30 June to leave the country.
READ | Police ready for 'any eventuality' on 30 June, says Cachalia
"I want to emphasise this, I am on the side of protesters," Lesufi told eNCA.
"I really believe they have a good point. We have tolerated illegal immigration or people who are not documented properly in our country for too long and the price is heavy," he added.
But he warned any acts of criminality will be dealt with.
"You don't deal with that problem recklessly. We don't say people must not protest, we don't say people must be stopped. What we are saying is do it peacefully and register your concern. They have got our support in Gauteng, we will never do something that will stop their protest, but they have to do it within the law."