President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has released an official statement ahead of the protests on Tuesday 30 June, 2026 against “undocumented immigrantion” in the country.
The statement on the official website of the South African Presidency (thepresidency.gov.za) says, the people of South Africa have raised “deep concerns” as regards illegal immigration; it adds, South Africans have the right to protest as it is “enshrined” in the country’s constitution.
However, the South African President said in the statement, that right does not give the permission for “people to threaten or intimidate others” or get involved in “acts of violence”.
Ramaphosa cautioned, the protests must be carried out “peacefully and lawfully”.
The Statement titled ‘Protest is both a right and a responsibility’, released on Mondy 29 June, 2026 reads:
“My Fellow South African,
Tomorrow, 30 June, marks the date that several groupings have identified for protests against undocumented immigration in South Africa.
South Africans have raised deep concerns about illegal immigration, border management, pressure on public services, criminal syndicates that exploit our immigration system and the impact these challenges have on communities. These concerns are real and they deserve to be heard.
The right to protest is enshrined in our Constitution. It is a credit to our robust democratic order that people are able to express their grievances openly. But 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.
South Africa is a constitutional republic governed by the rule of law. The exercise of rights by any citizen in a constitutional democracy cannot be determined by intimidation, threats or ultimatums. It must be determined through democratic institutions, evidence and the rule of law.
What we should seek as citizens and as a society is to work together to address the legitimate concerns that many South Africans have raised. Government has a responsibility not only to listen to these concerns but to respond with effective action. Citizens have a responsibility to pursue change peacefully and within the framework of our Constitution.
Government has accepted that our immigration system requires substantial reform. We are strengthening border management, increasing enforcement against undocumented immigration, improving the integrity of the asylum and visa systems, and taking action against corruption that has weakened immigration control.
Freedom comes with responsibility. The right to protest is one of the defining freedoms of our democracy, but every right carries corresponding responsibilities. Those who intend to protest should do so peacefully, lawfully and with respect for the rights, dignity and safety of others.
Where there is criminal conduct, those responsible will be held accountable and the law will take its course.
Some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully. They work, study, raise families, invest in our economy and contribute positively to our society. They too are entitled to the protection of our laws and our Constitution.
We must never allow ourselves to return to that painful chapter of our history where people were stopped on the street, had their physical identities scrutinised, and their right to move freely in the country hindered by suspicion and humiliation.
Let us protect both our borders and our Constitution, both our security and our humanity. We are capable of doing both, and we must.”
Photo: Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa
