The government will not declare a state of emergency but will "deal very swiftly" with illegal protests, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

"This is not a state of emergency," Radebe told reporters in Pretoria.

However, those gathering illegally will be "dealt with".

"The South African government has noted and is deeply concerned with the amount of violence, threats and intimidation that is taking place in our country, particularly in the mining industry.

"These acts... clearly undermine our government's efforts of ensuring economic and security stability," Radebe said.

"We want to bring back public order in those areas so that the economy can continue to run normally.
"They are going to be dealt with very swiftly, without any further delay," said Radebe.
"Our government will not tolerate these acts any further."

He announced measures to be put in place to ensure the situation was brought under control.

These included that "illegal gatherings, the carrying of dangerous weapons, and incitement, as well as threats of violence against anyone in the affected areas, will be dealt with accordingly".

Radebe said law enforcement agencies "will not hesitate to arrest those who have been found to have contravened the law".

Government was making a "clarion call" on all South Africans to desist from such illegal acts.