President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm ahead of a wave of nationwide protests against illegal immigration planned for Tuesday, warning that while South Africans have every right to demonstrate, vigilantism, intimidation and violence will not be tolerated.
In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa acknowledged widespread public concern over undocumented immigration, border security and pressure on public services, but said these concerns must be addressed through constitutional processes rather than by people taking the law into their own hands.
Freedom comes with responsibility, he said, adding that the right to protest and freedom of expression do not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence.
