Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
24 June 2026 | 11:44 CAT
2-minute read

Image credit: SA Government News Agency

South African authorities, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, maintain that while immigration pressures are growing, the country does not face a national “crisis” of overwhelming proportions.

The ongoing anti-immigrant protests in South Africa represent a tense situation driven by deep-seated socioeconomic frustrations, which have culminated in a 30 June ultimatum issued by activist groups.

Protests and clashes began drawing attention in April and May, spreading across major hubs including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and parts of the Western Cape.

Despite growing concerns and South Africa’s reputational damage, the administration has not classified the situation as a crisis. Speaking to Radio Islam International, Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi said that current protests are largely an exercise of constitutional rights, provided they remain lawful and do not infringe on others’ rights.

Baloyi distinguished between deportation, which is the legal removal of undocumented migrants, and repatriation, where migrants voluntarily return to their home countries with government assistance.

He noted that repatriation figures may create the impression of a crisis, as some legally documented migrants are choosing to leave out of fear.

He stressed that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, not members of the public, and urged communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

“We have been making a call of all people who are not legal law enforcement agencies to cease and to stop from being the ones who decide who should be in the country, who should not,” Baloyi said.

While the South African government does not back the June 30 ultimatum, it has taken several measures to maintain order, including a R600-million SAPS operation. Both the SANDF and SAPS have been placed on high alert, with heightened police visibility and contingency measures focused on several secret “hotspots” to protect infrastructure and communities.

“Our law enforcement agencies are putting on all contingencies that will make sure that everyone who is in South Africa on the 30th is safe and free and is protected,” Baloyi said.

He emphasised that the deadline was not set by government, but by external groups with whom officials have been engaging.

Baloyi said government has learned lessons from the July 2021 unrest and is determined not to allow any destabilisation. He also welcomed calls for calm from various organisations and traditional leaders, expressing confidence that the situation will remain under control and that anarchy will not be tolerated.

Listen to the full interview with William Baloyi on Sabaahul Muslim, presented by Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.