South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens planning to join Tuesday’s anti-immigration demonstrations to remain peaceful and comply with the law, warning that violence, intimidation and vigilantism have no place in the country’s democratic system.
In a nationwide message delivered on Monday under the theme “Protest is both a right and a responsibility,” Ramaphosa acknowledged rising public concerns about undocumented immigration and its effects on communities.
He said, “Tomorrow, 30 June, marks the date that several groupings have identified for protests against undocumented immigration in South Africa.”
He added, “South Africans have raised deep concerns about illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services, criminal syndicates that exploit our immigration system and the impact these challenges have on communities.”
According to him, “These concerns are real and they deserve to be heard.”
While reaffirming constitutional rights, the president stressed limits to public demonstrations, saying, “The right to protest is enshrined in our Constitution. It is a credit to our robust democratic order that people are able to express their grievances openly.”
However, he cautioned, “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.”
Ramaphosa noted that government is already implementing reforms to address weaknesses in the immigration system, including border control, asylum processing, visa integrity and anti-corruption measures.
He said, “Government has accepted that our immigration system requires substantial reform.”
He continued, “We are strengthening border management, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigration, improving the integrity of the asylum and visa systems, and taking action against corruption that has weakened immigration control.”
He further stated, “We also recognise that where our systems have failed, they must be corrected. Where corruption has enabled illegal immigration, those responsible must be held accountable. Where enforcement has been inadequate, it must improve.”
The president also said consultations had been held with various stakeholders, including traditional leaders, labour unions, business groups and religious organisations, many of whom support reforms and have called for calm and respect for the rule of law.
While defending the right to protest, he warned against criminal conduct during demonstrations.
He said, “Freedom comes with responsibility. The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities.”
He added, “Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.”
He further warned, “Where there is criminal conduct, those responsible will be held accountable and the law will take its course.”
Ramaphosa also highlighted that many foreign nationals in South Africa are legally resident and contribute to society.
He said, “Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully.”
He added, “They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution.”
He strongly condemned vigilante actions, describing them as a threat to constitutional order.
He stated, “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 warned, “Whatever the motivation, taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism and has no place in our constitutional democracy.”
He added, “This is a betrayal of the very constitutional order those who commit such acts claim to be defending. It is vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism.”
The president urged citizens to avoid repeating painful historical injustices and to uphold unity and legality.
He concluded with a call for restraint, saying, “Throughout our history we have overcome difficult moments not through fear or division, but by choosing law over lawlessness, dialogue over confrontation and justice over vengeance.”
He added, “Let us once again choose that path. Let us protect both our borders and our Constitution, both our security and our humanity.”
“We are capable of doing both, and we must,” he concluded.
