South African President has urged citizens planning to participate in the planned protests against undocumented immigration to remain peaceful and respect the country’s constitutional order, warning that violence, intimidation and vandalism will not be tolerated.
In a statement issued from the Presidency on Monday, 29 June 2026, the President acknowledged growing concerns among South Africans over illegal immigration, border control challenges, pressure on public services and criminal networks exploiting weaknesses in the immigration system.
He said the concerns raised by communities were legitimate and deserved government attention, stressing that the right to protest was protected under South Africa’s Constitution but must be exercised within the limits of the law.
“Freedom comes with responsibility. The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities,” the President said.
He warned that citizens and groups must not use protests as a platform to threaten others, carry out acts of violence or take the law into their own hands.
The President said government was already working to reform the immigration system through stronger border management, improved enforcement against undocumented immigration, reforms to asylum and visa processes, and measures to tackle corruption linked to immigration control.
He also said officials responsible for failures within the system would be held accountable.
The planned protests, scheduled for 30 June, have been organised by groups calling for tougher action against undocumented immigration. The President said government had engaged with traditional leaders, business groups, labour organisations, religious bodies and civil society representatives to encourage peaceful dialogue.
He cautioned against vigilantism, referencing South Africa’s painful history of discriminatory pass laws, saying immigration enforcement must remain the responsibility of authorised law-enforcement agencies operating within the Constitution.
“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.
The President further noted that some foreign nationals living in South Africa are in the country legally, contributing through work, education, investment and family life, and are entitled to protection under the law.
He welcomed assurances from some protest organisers that they oppose violence among supporters, but said organisers would be held accountable for maintaining peaceful demonstrations.
He concluded by calling for a balance between protecting the country’s borders and upholding constitutional rights, saying South Africa must choose “law over lawlessness, dialogue over confrontation and justice over vengeance.”
