South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that citizens’ concerns over illegal immigration are legitimate but warned that violence, intimidation and vigilantism will not be tolerated during planned nationwide protests on June 30.
In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, Ramaphosa urged protesters to exercise their constitutional right peacefully and within the confines of the law, stressing that no grievance justifies unlawful conduct.
The president said South Africans had raised genuine concerns over undocumented immigration, border management, pressure on public services, and criminal syndicates exploiting the country’s immigration system.
While affirming that the right to protest is guaranteed under South Africa’s Constitution, he cautioned that such freedom does not permit threats, intimidation, vandalism or violence.
It partly reads, “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.
“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.
“South Africa is a constitutional republic governed by the rule of law. The exercise of rights by any citizen in a constitutional democracy cannot be determined by intimidation, threats or ultimatums. It must be determined through democratic institutions, evidence and the rule of law.”
Ramaphosa disclosed that his government had accepted the need for substantial reforms to the country’s immigration system, including strengthening border management, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigration, improving the integrity of asylum and visa systems, and tackling corruption that has weakened immigration controls.
“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,” it reads.
“Over the last few weeks, we have seen support for these measures and for government’s stance from across society. We have held meetings with the country’s traditional monarchs and other traditional and Khoi-San leaders, with trade union and business leaders, with the religious community and with other formations in society.