Ramaphosa urges peaceful protests as South Africa braces for anti immigration demonstrations

Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa president has appealed for calm ahead of planned nationwide protests against undocumented immigration, warning that while citizens have the constitutional right to demonstrate, violence, intimidation and vigilantism will not be tolerated.

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In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, a day before the planned protests on June 30, Ramaphosa acknowledged that many South Africans have genuine concerns about illegal immigration, weak border controls, pressure on public services and criminal networks exploiting the country’s immigration system.

“These concerns are real and they deserve to be heard,” Ramaphosa said.

However, he stressed that public frustration must not be used to justify lawlessness.

“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 said.

The president said South Africa remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, adding that demands for change must be pursued through democratic institutions rather than threats or ultimatums.

His remarks come amid growing public debate over immigration and calls by several groups for demonstrations demanding tougher action against undocumented migrants.

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Ramaphosa said the government had already accepted that South Africa’s immigration system needs major reform and is taking steps to strengthen border management, tighten enforcement against undocumented immigration, improve the asylum and visa systems, and tackle corruption that has weakened immigration controls.

“Where corruption has enabled illegal immigration, those responsible must be held accountable. Where enforcement has been inadequate, it must improve,” he said.

The president also revealed that the government has held consultations in recent weeks with traditional leaders, business groups, labour unions, religious organisations and civil society, many of whom have backed stronger immigration controls while urging peaceful engagement.

At the same time, Ramaphosa warned against targeting foreign nationals living legally in South Africa.

“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.

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He welcomed assurances from some protest organisers that demonstrations would remain peaceful but insisted they would be held accountable if violence broke out.

The president drew parallels with South Africa’s painful history under apartheid, cautioning against citizens taking immigration enforcement into their own hands.

“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,” he said.

“Taking the law into one’s own hands is vigilantism and has no place in our constitutional democracy.”

Ramaphosa said security agencies were prepared to protect both public safety and the constitutional right to protest.

“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 said.