JOHANNESBURG, June 29 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday called on citizens to exercise their constitutional right to protest peacefully while warning that violence, intimidation and vigilantism would not be tolerated during planned nationwide demonstrations over illegal immigration.
In his weekly newsletter ahead of the planned protests on June 30, Ramaphosa acknowledged growing public concern over illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services and criminal networks exploiting the country's immigration system.
"These concerns are real and deserve to be heard," he said, noting that the government is strengthening border management, intensifying action against undocumented migration, improving asylum and visa processes, and tackling corruption that undermines immigration enforcement.
"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," Ramaphosa said.
The president stressed that while South Africans have the constitutional right to protest, that right must be exercised responsibly.
"The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities," he said, urging demonstrators to express their views peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.
He said any criminal acts committed during demonstrations would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
"We must reject the idea that acts of violence or intimidation are justified on the basis of a grievance, for political reasons, or because those who commit such acts claim they were somehow provoked," he added.
Ramaphosa also emphasized that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of duly authorized state institutions, not private individuals.
He welcomed assurances from some protest organizers that demonstrations would remain peaceful. "They will be held to this undertaking, because no cause, no matter how legitimate, will be an excuse to shift responsibility for violent acts," said Ramaphosa.
He also welcomed calls by traditional, religious and community leaders, as well as business, labor and civil society organizations, for tolerance and respect for the rule of law.
South Africa is set to witness nationwide demonstrations on June 30 as anti-immigration groups, including March and March, and United South Africa, call for tougher action against undocumented migrants.
While organizers say the campaign will remain peaceful and the protests are aimed at illegal immigration rather than foreign nationals in general, authorities have stepped up security preparations and repeatedly warned that violence, intimidation and xenophobic attacks will not be tolerated.
Local media reported that thousands of migrants from countries including Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana have temporarily left their residences or sought assistance to return to their home countries due to security concerns.
Most recently, the Ugandan government has announced it would repatriate its nationals from South Africa, after 746 citizens expressed their intention to return home due to security and safety concerns. Enditem
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