As South Africa braces for nationwide protests against the undocumented immigration scheduled for June 30, the President, Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning against vigilantism, urging citizens to exercise democratic rights peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
In a direct address to the nation, the President acknowledged the deep and legitimate concerns raised by South Africans regarding illegal immigration, border management, and the strain on public services.
“These concerns are real and they deserve to be heard,” the President stated, emphasizing that the govt is actively pursuing substantial reforms to the immigration system.
However, the address drew a firm line between the constitutional right to protest and acts of violence, intimidation.
The President cautioned against a return to the country’s painful past, specifically referencing the history of pass laws.
“We must never allow ourselves to return to that painful chapter of our history where people were stopped on the street, had their physical identities scrutinised, and their right to move freely in the country hindered by suspicion and humiliation,” the statement read.
The government has made it clear that the authority to demand identification and enforce immigration laws rests solely with law-enforcement officers, not private individuals.
Taking the law into one’s own hands, the President warned, is “vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism” and a betrayal of the constitutional order.
While acknowledging that the immigration system requires reform and that past failures must be corrected, the President highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen border management and combat corruption.
The government has also engaged in extensive consultations with traditional leaders, trade unions, business leaders, and religious communities, garnering broad support for its stance.
Ramaphosa welcomed assurances from some protest organizers who have committed to peaceful demonstrations, noting that they will be held to this undertaking.
“No cause, no matter how legitimate, will be an excuse to shift responsibility for violent acts,” the President affirmed.
As the country prepares for the planned protests, law-enforcement authorities are on high alert, ready to defend the rule of law and protect communities, businesses, and individuals.
The President concluded with a call for unity and adherence to democratic principles: “Let’s protect both our borders and our Constitution, both our security and our humanity. We are capable of doing both, and we must”.
