South Africa’s major political parties have rejected planned anti-illegal immigration protests, urging citizens to uphold the rule of law as security forces prepare for demonstrations scheduled for June 30.
The planned protests have become a significant political test for the Government of National Unity, highlighting divisions over immigration policy while raising concerns about public safety. Political leaders are seeking to balance calls for stronger enforcement of immigration laws with constitutional protections against vigilantism and violence.
Anti-illegal immigration groups have organised demonstrations in several provinces after weeks of protests, some of which ended in violence and heightened anxiety among migrant communities and local residents. TimesLIVE reported the political parties’ responses to the planned June 30 demonstrations. The protests follow President Cyril Ramaphosa’s rejection of the self-declared June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, describing the ultimatum as unlawful.
Parties call for constitutional response
The governing African National Congress (ANC) said South Africans have the constitutional right to raise grievances but stressed that public concerns should be addressed through democratic institutions rather than unlawful action.
Speaking during an online discussion hosted by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, ANC National Executive Committee member Supra Mahumapelo, speaking on behalf of First Deputy Secretary Nomvula Mokonyane, said South Africa’s democratic framework provides lawful mechanisms for resolving disputes.
He said citizens should pursue their concerns through constitutional processes and expressed confidence that law enforcement agencies were prepared to respond to anyone seeking to exploit the demonstrations through violence or criminal activity.
The ANC’s coalition partner in the Government of National Unity, the Democratic Alliance (DA), echoed those concerns.
Deputy Federal Chairperson Solly Malatsi said the planned demonstrations risked deepening divisions at a time when South Africa required unity.
He urged South Africans to reject attempts to normalise criminal behaviour under the guise of protest and called on supporters of constitutional democracy to defend peaceful civic engagement.
The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) adopted an even firmer position, calling on law enforcement agencies to investigate organisers whom the party accused of inciting violence against African migrants.
EFF MP and Head of International Relations Nqobile Mhlongo argued that authorities should intervene before violence erupts rather than acting only after unrest occurs.
Political divisions over immigration
While several parties criticised the planned demonstrations, not all political leaders opposed the campaign against illegal immigration.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has previously expressed support for anti-illegal immigration demonstrations, arguing that South Africa should strengthen immigration enforcement and praising campaign organisers during a protest in Johannesburg earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party rejected media reports suggesting it was linked to Tuesday’s demonstrations.
The party said its founder, former President Jacob Zuma, had consistently encouraged peaceful, disciplined and lawful political participation and denied any organisational involvement in the planned protests.
The contrasting responses reflect wider political divisions over immigration policy and border management, issues that have become increasingly prominent in South Africa’s national debate. While parties differ on how immigration laws should be enforced, most maintain that any action must remain within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law.
Ramaphosa rejects unlawful deadline
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to ease tensions ahead of the demonstrations through consultations with political and traditional leaders.
During a recent meeting with AmaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, Ramaphosa reiterated that enforcing immigration laws falls exclusively within the mandate of government institutions.
The President also dismissed calls by protest organisers for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30, describing the self-imposed deadline as unlawful and reaffirming that immigration enforcement must be conducted through legal processes.
Government officials have repeatedly acknowledged the challenges posed by illegal immigration while maintaining that enforcement of immigration laws must remain the responsibility of state institutions operating within the Constitution.
The government has also stepped up enforcement efforts. Africa Briefing previously reported that South African authorities returned 2,745 undocumented migrants in a single week as part of a broader border management campaign.
Police step up security
Security agencies have significantly increased operational readiness ahead of Tuesday’s planned demonstrations.
According to Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, approximately 6,000 South African Police Service officers have been deployed across affected areas to maintain public order and protect both demonstrators and the wider public.
Police have not announced restrictions on peaceful demonstrations but have warned that violence, intimidation and damage to property will not be tolerated. Authorities have also not released an official estimate of how many people are expected to participate in Tuesday’s protests.
Addressing officers during a police parade in KwaZulu-Natal, Cachalia said police were being deployed to facilitate lawful protest while preventing violence and criminal activity.
He reminded officers that professionalism, restraint and impartial policing would be essential in maintaining public confidence throughout the operation.
In the Free State, Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale instructed officers to act decisively against individuals involved in criminal activity or immigration offences while ensuring the safety and protection of everyone lawfully residing in South Africa, regardless of nationality.
Immigration remains politically sensitive
South Africa has experienced periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals, prompting successive governments to strengthen border management while repeatedly condemning attacks on migrants and reaffirming constitutional protections for everyone living lawfully in the country.
Immigration has become one of South Africa’s most contested public policy issues in recent years, with debates over unemployment, border management and pressure on public services increasingly shaping national politics. Successive governments have nevertheless maintained that enforcement of immigration laws must remain the responsibility of lawful state institutions operating within the Constitution while protecting the constitutional rights of everyone living in South Africa.
As the demonstrations approach, political leaders have continued urging South Africans to express their views peacefully while allowing law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
