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.
Read also: The impossible choice facing Nigerians in South Africa as June 30 deadline nears
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.
Read also: South Africa’s xenophobia tax and the fiscal price tag of hatred
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…
Source link
Read Full Article by Faith Omoboye at businessday.ng
Source link
