Against the backdrop of planned immigration protests, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to shun violence and uphold the rule of law, warning that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, intimidation, vandalism and vigilantism will not be tolerated.
Anti-immigrant groups have declared June 30 a “deadline” for undocumented immigrants to leave South Africa and are planning nationwide demonstrations, with some threatening a “national shutdown” if the government fails to take tougher action on illegal immigration.
In a public statement on Monday, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concerns over illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services and criminal syndicates exploiting the country’s immigration system, saying the issues were legitimate and deserved government attention.
He, however, warned that while the Constitution guarantees the right to protest, it does not permit intimidation, vandalism or violence.
“The right to protest is enshrined in our Constitution,” Ramaphosa said. “But the right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence.”
The South African leader said his government was already implementing reforms to strengthen border management, tighten immigration enforcement, improve the integrity of the asylum and visa systems, and tackle corruption that had weakened immigration controls.
Ramaphosa also cautioned against vigilantism, stressing that the enforcement of immigration laws remained the responsibility of government agencies and not private individuals.
“The painful history of the pass laws reminds us why the authority to demand identification and enforce immigration laws belongs to government law-enforcement officers acting within the Constitution—not to private individuals,” he said.
He noted that many foreign nationals living in South Africa were in the country legally, contributing to the economy through work, education, investment and family life, and were entitled to the protection of the law.
Ramaphosa welcomed assurances from some protest organisers that the demonstrations would remain peaceful but warned that anyone involved in criminal acts would be held accountable.
He urged South Africans to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly, saying the country had always overcome difficult moments by choosing dialogue, justice and the rule of law over violence and division.