Ramaphosa urges calm ahead of 30 June shutdown

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations against illegal immigration on 30 June, warning citizens against taking the law into their own hands.

Responding to a question in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, Ramaphosa acknowledged that illegal immigration remains a serious challenge for South Africa, affecting social cohesion, national security and the delivery of public services.

“We are ready to deal with whatever disruption or instability may take place. I am a strong believer that South Africans are peaceful people. They are not xenophobic. They are not afrophobic. They want peace. We are taking measures to ensure that the 30th becomes a normal day, where people would be able to work and go about their business,” said Ramaphosa. 

His comments come amid growing concerns over possible unrest linked to next week’s demonstrations, with several civic society movements behind planned protests insisting they will proceed.

“The responsibility for enforcing our laws rests with the state, and no individual may stop another person from demanding documentation or proof of nationality,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa said government is implementing a comprehensive migration strategy that includes strengthening border management, tougher enforcement of immigration laws and reforms to the asylum system.

WATCH | President @CyrilRamaphosa responds to a question on government’s readiness to maintain law and order and prevent violence linked to concerns around illegal immigration during the National Council of Provinces Oral Reply session.

The President outlines the measures being… pic.twitter.com/xI4GbjWwfs

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 25, 2026

ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, later echoed the President’s message, rejecting claims that South Africans are inherently xenophobic.

Briefing the media after an ANC National Working Committee meeting, Mbalula said government was acting decisively to address illegal immigration while maintaining peace and stability.

“Government is acting, and it is acting at scale,” he said, pointing to more than 110,000 deportations, over 40,000 arrests of undocumented migrants and the cancellation of thousands of fraudulently obtained visas.

[WATCH] MIGRATION, COMMUNITY TENSIONS AND THE THREATS AROUND 30 JUNE

Nowhere is the first promise of the Freedom Charter — that South Africa belongs to all who live in it more sorely tested today than on the question of migration. We speak with compassion and with firmness, and… pic.twitter.com/NMOoKQEz0f

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 25, 2026

Meanwhile, Gauteng Police Commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni, said the province is fully prepared for the demonstrations, with helicopters, drones and more than 3,300 surveillance cameras deployed to monitor potential flashpoints.

Mthombeni warned that police would act decisively against anyone inciting violence, intimidation or criminal activity during the protests.

He also cautioned South Africans against harbouring or employing undocumented foreign nationals, warning that anyone found contravening the law could face severe penalties.