Ramaphosa Cautions South Africans: Anti-Immigration Protests Must Be Lawful

Ahead of scheduled anti-immigration demonstrations set for June 30, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to his compatriots to ensure their participation remains peaceful and adheres strictly to legal provisions. He issued a stern caution that acts of violence, intimidation, or vigilantism are incompatible with the nation's democratic principles and constitutional framework.

In a national address delivered on Monday, titled 'Protest is both a right and a responsibility,' President Ramaphosa recognized the increasing anxieties among the populace regarding undocumented immigration and its broader societal effects. He highlighted that June 30 had been designated by various groups for protests specifically targeting undocumented immigrants in South Africa. The President acknowledged, '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 affirmed that the South African Constitution safeguards the right to protest, yet he underscored that such constitutional liberties do not extend to actions involving threats, intimidation, property damage, or violence. He elaborated, '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.'

The President further noted that his administration acknowledges the imperative for comprehensive reforms within the nation's immigration framework. He confirmed that initiatives are already underway to bolster border security, refine procedures for visas and asylum, and actively combat corruption that has compromised immigration controls. Ramaphosa stated, '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 further emphasized the necessity for rectifying systemic failures, stating, '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 extensive consultations have taken place with a diverse range of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, labour organizations, business communities, and religious bodies. Many of these groups, he noted, have expressed support for the government's initiatives and advocated for tolerance and adherence to the rule of law.

Despite affirming the citizenry's entitlement to public demonstration, Ramaphosa issued a strong caution that any criminal behaviour occurring amidst protests would face severe consequences. He declared, '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.'

Addressing the status of foreign residents, the President underscored that a significant number of foreign nationals in South Africa reside there legally and contribute meaningfully to the country's social fabric. He affirmed, '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.'

Ramaphosa saved his most emphatic remarks for those who might resort to self-help in enforcing immigration regulations, unequivocally labeling such behaviour as vigilantism. He articulated, '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. 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 implored South Africans to avoid a recurrence of the nation's traumatic historical experiences. He specifically warned, '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.'

In closing, Ramaphosa assured the public that law enforcement bodies are on standby to uphold order and safeguard both communal safety and the fundamental right to peaceful assembly. He concluded with a powerful appeal: '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.'