South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm ahead of planned nationwide anti-immigrant protests, warning that anyone engaging in violence or criminal acts will face the full weight of the law.
The demonstrations, scheduled for Tuesday, are being organised by anti-immigrant groups demanding the removal of undocumented migrants from the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ramaphosa stressed that while South Africa’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, that right does not extend to violence or intimidation.
His appeal comes amid a resurgence of xenophobic tensions that have seen several protests turn violent in recent months. Organisers claim undocumented migrants have contributed to rising crime and placed additional pressure on public services.
However, Ramaphosa defended the rights of legally resident foreign nationals, saying many are living, working and contributing positively to South African 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,” he said.
The president acknowledged concerns over illegal immigration and said his administration is strengthening border management and implementing immigration reforms. He urged citizens to allow security agencies and immigration authorities to enforce the law instead of taking matters into their own hands.
Describing mob action as unacceptable, Ramaphosa said, “It is vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism.”
Anti-immigrant groups had set June 30 as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa.
The renewed xenophobic unrest has already claimed lives, with at least two Nigerians reportedly killed since the protests resurfaced.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs said two evacuation flights have already returned Nigerians who voluntarily chose to leave South Africa. The ministry added that the repatriation exercise will be carried out in five flights, with the third batch expected to arrive on Tuesday.
