Cachalia says G20 visitors will witness a functioning South African democracy

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has taken a jab at those who will not be attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit, saying the small number who have chosen to stay away will do so at their own cost.

Cachalia, together with the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, led the state of readiness briefing for law enforcement on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the FNB Park and Ride Space in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

He was joined by his two deputies, Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero.

The parade formed part of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster’s comprehensive state-of-readiness operations for the upcoming G20 Summit.

The event came a day after the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said it was ready to ensure safety for the summit.

NATJOINTS also confirmed that more than 3,500 newly trained police constables will be deployed across South Africa as part of heightened security measures for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, co-chair of NATJOINTS, made the announcement on Tuesday night at the Nasrec Expo Centre while providing an update on the security cluster’s preparations for the summit, scheduled for November 22-23

The summit will be held at the Nasrec Expo Centre.

Addressing officers, Cachalia said the G20 was an event of global significance and crucial at this moment in world history.

“This G20 is going to define the key issues around which the countries of the world need to focus and cooperate in the years ahead,” he said.

“It will produce a declaration that will shape the relationships among nations, the global economy, and the issues on which world leaders need to cooperate.”

He said South Africa was honoured to host the event.

“Over the next two days our country, our people, are going to be the hosts of presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and leaders of stature from across the world.”

He also criticised those who have announced they will not attend.

“Those who have decided to stay away - the small number - will do so at their cost, because over the next two days South Africa will indeed be the centre of the world,” he said.

“The eyes of the world will be on us. They will be watching how we conduct ourselves - not only our law enforcement agencies, but our citizens.”

This follows repeated statements by United States President Donald Trump that he will not attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.

Last week he claimed that “Afrikaners are being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated,” which led to his announcement that no US government officials would attend the summit.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has previously dismissed Trump’s accusations as “regrettable and baseless,” saying they distort the country’s constitutional commitment to human rights and non-racialism.

As the controversy grows, South African officials say preparations for the G20 Summit are continuing as planned.

Earlier this week, IOL News reported that Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola insisted that the US would have to send officials to South Africa if Washington wanted to be formally handed the reins of the G20 as the incoming president of the bloc.

The US is set to take over the G20 presidency from South Africa and host the summit in 2026. 

However, Washington’s decision to stay away from this weekend’s Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg raises questions about the ceremonial handover.

Cachalia said visitors “will see a country that is united, a country that is on the march of a functioning democracy and what we have achieved in the last 30 years”.

“Indeed, like every other country in the world we have our problems and challenges, but we also have many achievements that should make us proud.”

He declared that the police, together with metro police and other law enforcement agencies, were ready to ensure safety at the G20 Summit.

Meanwhile, Masemola called on officers to ensure the safety of all attendees, including international delegates and local participants.

“It is quite a privilege to be here. It is the culmination of the hard work that has gone into planning - now it is time for delivery. That is why we are gathered here today… to ensure that the heads of state and government and their delegations are free to go on with their business at all times.”

He urged officers to ensure safety and avoid unnecessary interference.

“You have to make sure that there is safety for everyone. Make sure that everyone feels safe.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News