By Ayobami Okerinde
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that citizens’ concerns over illegal immigration are legitimate but warned that violence, intimidation and vigilantism will not be tolerated during planned nationwide protests on June 30.
In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, Ramaphosa urged protesters to exercise their constitutional right peacefully and within the confines of the law, stressing that no grievance justifies unlawful conduct.
The president said South Africans had raised genuine concerns over undocumented immigration, border management, pressure on public services, and criminal syndicates exploiting the country’s immigration system.
While affirming that the right to protest is guaranteed under South Africa’s Constitution, he cautioned that such freedom does not permit threats, intimidation, vandalism or violence.
