South African authorities have dismissed the so‑called June 30 deadline for foreigners to leave the country as unlawful, warning that any attempts to enforce it could trigger criminal charges.
The warning comes after groups campaigning against illegal immigration called on undocumented foreigners to leave South Africa by June 30, threatening to take matters into their own hands if the government failed to act.
Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, Ramaphosa said the enforcement of immigration laws “rests with the state” and cautioned citizens not to stop people in the streets to demand identity documents.
He said the government had strengthened border security, intensified law-enforcement operations and improved immigration management, but stressed that these measures could only be implemented legally.
Might of 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.
He warned that groups seeking to “take the law into their own hands” risked undermining public order and fuelling social instability.
Ramaphosa said security agencies, including the South African Police Service, metropolitan police departments and private security structures, have been placed on high alert ahead of the planned demonstrations.
Ramaphosa said the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure was “firmly in charge” of coordinating security preparations and stood ready to respond to any threats to peace and stability.
The president expressed confidence that the majority of South Africans would reject xenophobia and unlawful conduct, saying citizens wanted to go about their daily lives without fear or disruption.
He urged communities to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies rather than resort to vigilantism, insisting that South Africa’s response to illegal immigration must remain consistent with the country’s constitutional principles and international human rights obligations.
