News Desk Reporter
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to exercise restraint and act within the law as the country prepares for nationwide protests against undocumented immigration tomorrow.
He said concerns over illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services and organised crime exploiting the system are legitimate and must be addressed.
“Citizens 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,” Ramaphosa said.
“These concerns are real, and they deserve to be heard,” he added.
He stressed that the right to protest is protected in the Constitution but does not allow intimidation, violence or vandalism.
“The right to protest is enshrined in our Constitution. It is a credit to our robust democratic order that people can express their grievances openly,” he said.
“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 added.
Ramaphosa said South Africa remains governed by the rule of law, where grievances must be pursued through democratic institutions rather than threats or ultimatums.
“South Africa is a constitutional republic governed by the rule of law,” he said.
“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 said.
He added that government is implementing reforms to strengthen immigration control, including border management, asylum processes and anti-corruption measures.
“Government has accepted that our immigration system requires substantial reform,” Ramaphosa said. “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.
The President warned against vigilantism, saying immigration enforcement remains the responsibility of the state.
“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,” he said. “Not to private individuals.”
He added: “Whatever the motivation, taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism and has no place in our constitutional democracy.”
He urged those planning to protest to do so peacefully and within the law.
“Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that any criminal conduct will be dealt with firmly.
“Where there is criminal conduct, those responsible will be held accountable,” he said. “The law will take its course.”
He also noted that some foreign nationals in South Africa are legally resident and contribute to society.
“Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully,” he said. “They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society,” he said.
He called for calm as tensions rise ahead of the demonstrations, urging citizens to balance constitutional rights with responsibility and the rule of law.