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

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

"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."

Government clampdown

No more illegal gatherings or incitement to violence would be tolerated, Intelligence Minister Siyabonga Cwele said on Friday.

"No more incitement to violence would be tolerated," Cwele told reporters in Pretoria.

The ministers of police, justice, finance and intelligence were briefing the media on ongoing unprotected mining strikes across the country over the past few weeks.

Forty-five people have died in incidents related to an illegal strike at Lonmin mine in Rustenburg. Thirty-four of them were shot dead by police a month ago.

Asked how authorities would control crowds without shooting, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa only said: "We will do everything to ensure that peace will prevail."

Asked if expelled African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema was being accused of incitement to violence, the ministers said, "this statement of government is not directed to any specific individuals".