Ramaphosa Urges Calm as Protests Targeting Migrants Loom
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm and restraint ahead of planned protests targeting foreign-owned businesses and government facilities, emphasizing that the right to protest must not include violence or vandalism.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated calls for calm and lawfulness as South Africa braces for planned protests targeting foreign-owned businesses and government facilities. In a renewed appeal issued hours before demonstrations were expected to begin, Ramaphosa stressed that while the right to protest is constitutionally protected, it does not extend to acts of violence or vandalism.
‘Vigilantism has no place here,’ Ramaphosa stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining order and protecting all residents. The remarks, reported by Timeslive, come amid growing tensions over the presence of undocumented migrants in certain communities. The president emphasized that the state remains fully prepared to uphold law and order during the planned demonstrations.
Security forces have been placed on high alert. A large-scale police operation in Buffalo City Metro over the weekend saw more than 1,100 vehicles stopped and searched, resulting in 44 arrests, according to Timeslive. The operation is part of broader measures to prevent unrest ahead of the marches. The South African Police Service confirmed it is deploying additional personnel to key urban centers, though specific operational details were not disclosed.
SABC News quoted Ramaphosa as saying the government is ‘ready to maintain law and order’ during the protests against undocumented migrants. The statement reflects ongoing national debate over migration, service delivery, and economic pressures in marginalized communities. Civil society groups have expressed concern over the targeting of foreign-owned businesses, warning that such actions risk undermining social cohesion and inviting retaliatory violence.