South African authorities have rejected a self-declared June 30 deadline issued by campaign groups opposed to illegal immigration for undocumented migrants to leave the country, warning that any attempt by private groups to enforce it could result in criminal prosecution.
The warning follows calls by campaign groups urging undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30 and threatening community action if the government failed to act. Pretoria has insisted that immigration enforcement remains the exclusive responsibility of the state and that any unlawful attempts to police communities will be met with legal action.
Ramaphosa: Immigration enforcement belongs to the state
Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said enforcing immigration laws rested solely with government institutions and cautioned citizens against stopping people in the street to demand identity documents.
He said South Africa had strengthened border security, intensified law-enforcement operations and improved immigration management, but stressed that every measure must be carried out within the law.
‘The security forces are ready and those who transgress the measures we are putting in place will meet the might of the law,’ Ramaphosa said.
The president warned that groups attempting to ‘take the law into their own hands’ risked undermining public order and fuelling instability.
Security agencies on high alert
Ramaphosa said security agencies, including the South African Police Service, metropolitan police departments and private security structures, had been placed on high alert ahead of planned demonstrations linked to the campaign.
He said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure was coordinating security preparations and stood ready to respond to any threats to peace and stability.
The president said authorities remained committed to maintaining public order while protecting the constitutional rights of everyone living in the country.
Immigration remains a sensitive issue
The June 30 ultimatum was promoted by campaign groups opposed to illegal immigration, which argue that the government has not done enough to curb undocumented migration.
Immigration has become an increasingly contentious issue in South Africa, with debates over jobs, crime and pressure on public services shaping public discourse. Africa Briefing has previously examined South Africa’s growing anti-migrant movement ahead of local elections, while former president Thabo Mbeki has argued that governance failures have fuelled xenophobia.
Authorities have dismissed the activists’ deadline, maintaining that only authorised state institutions have the legal mandate to manage immigration enforcement and that anyone attempting to do so unlawfully could face prosecution.
Constitutional obligations remain
Ramaphosa urged communities to cooperate with law enforcement agencies rather than resort to vigilantism, saying South Africa’s response to illegal immigration must remain consistent with the country’s Constitution and its international human rights obligations.
Recent anti-immigrant violence has also drawn concern across the region. Africa Briefing has reported on Ghana’s call for African Union action over xenophobia and Mozambique’s response after five of its citizens were killed in attacks in South Africa, underscoring the broader diplomatic implications of the crisis.
He expressed confidence that the overwhelming majority of South Africans would reject xenophobia and unlawful conduct, allowing communities to continue their daily lives without fear or disruption.
Ramaphosa said tackling illegal immigration and upholding the rule of law must go hand in hand, insisting South Africa would continue strengthening border management while ensuring immigration enforcement remained the responsibility of authorised state institutions.
