South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for peaceful demonstrations as anti-immigrant groups prepare for protests against “undocumented” migrants on Tuesday.
In a statement on Monday, Ramaphosa warned that protesters involved in criminal conduct would face the law, noting that while the right to protest is protected, it does not extend to acts of violence.
The president’s warning comes as anti-immigrant protests have intensified in recent months, with several turning violence.
The groups allege that migrants have contributed to rising crime and increased pressure on public services.
However, Ramaphosa maintained that “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 added.
Ramaphosa acknowledged the need for immigration reforms and noted that the government has begun implementing measures in place to strengthen border management.
He urged South Africans to leave the enforcement of immigration laws to the authorities rather than taking matters into their own hands.
“It is vigilantism thinly disguised in the language of patriotism,” he said.
South African right groups had set June 30 as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
At least two Nigerians have been killed since the xenophobic protests resurged in South Africa.
So far, two evacuation flights have brought back Nigerians who volunteered to return home.
The federal ministry of foreign affairs said the repatriation exercise would be conducted in five flights, with the third batch expected to arrive on Tuesday.
