South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to citizens planning to participate in the anti-immigration protests scheduled for June 30 to conduct themselves peacefully and within the bounds of the law, stressing that violence, intimidation, and vigilantism have no place in the country's constitutional democracy.
In a national message released on Monday titled "Protest is Both a Right and a Responsibility," Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concerns over undocumented immigration and its impact on communities across South Africa.
"Tomorrow, June 30, marks the date that several groups have identified for protests against undocumented immigration in South Africa," the president said.
"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.
"These concerns are real and they deserve to be heard."
Ramaphosa reaffirmed that the South African Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest but emphasised that this freedom does not extend to acts of violence, intimidation, vandalism, or threats against others.
"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.
"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," he stated.
The president said the government recognises the need to reform the country's immigration system and has already begun implementing measures aimed at strengthening border security, improving visa and asylum processes, and addressing corruption within the immigration system.
"Government has accepted that our immigration system requires substantial reform.
"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 said.
He added that the government remains committed to correcting weaknesses in the system.
"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."
Ramaphosa disclosed that the government had consulted traditional leaders, labour unions, business organisations, religious bodies, and other stakeholders, many of whom expressed support for government efforts while encouraging tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
While affirming citizens' constitutional right to demonstrate, the president warned that anyone engaging in criminal activities during the protests would face the full weight of the law.
"Freedom comes with responsibility. The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities.
"Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.
"Where there is criminal conduct, those responsible will be held accountable and the law will take its course."
Ramaphosa also reminded South Africans that many foreign nationals living in the country are legally resident and contribute meaningfully to society.
"Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully.
"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."
The president strongly condemned individuals attempting to enforce immigration laws on their own, describing such actions as vigilantism.
"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.
"Whatever the motivation, taking the law into one's own hands is vigilantism and has no place in our constitutional democracy."
He further warned that such actions undermine the constitutional values they claim to defend.
"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."
Ramaphosa urged South Africans not to repeat painful chapters from the country's past, where people were stopped and humiliated based on suspicion.
"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 president assured citizens that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to maintain public order while safeguarding both the right to peaceful protest and public safety.
"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.
"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.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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