Key Takeaways
- South African ministers warned citizens against vigilante raids targeting undocumented foreigners, stressing that such actions are illegal and will be punished.
- Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the R600 million spent to maintain order on 30 June 2026 prevented a repeat of the July 2021 riots and was drawn from the existing police budget.
- Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi emphasized South Africa’s sovereignty, stating the country has the right to set its own immigration laws without external interference.
- Despite official directives, journalists reported that police often accompanied protesters during door‑to‑door searches, raising concerns about law‑enforcement complicity.
- The government has engaged community policing forums to report vigilante activity and urged protesters to respect the legal process while exercising their right to demonstrate.
Government Calls for an End to Vigilante Action
Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi appealed to South Africans to stop taking the law into their own hands during the ongoing anti‑immigration protests. She warned that conducting “door‑to‑door” raids on homes and businesses suspected of harbouring undocumented migrants is illegal and will attract consequences. Kubayi urged the public to allow law‑enforcement agencies to handle migration‑related issues, stressing that vigilantism undermines the rule of law and puts both protesters and residents at risk.
Police Minister Defends the R600 Million Expenditure
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia defended the allocation of R600 million to secure the country on 30 June 2026, describing the spending as “well spent.” He explained that the funds were not new money but were drawn from the existing police contingency budget, covering overtime, reservist call‑outs, accommodation, and other operational costs. According to Cachalia, the preparedness of the police prevented a recurrence of the destructive July 2021 riots, demonstrating the value of the investment.
Sovereignty and Immigration Policy Emphasized
Kubayi reiterated that South Africa, as a sovereign state, possesses the right to determine its own laws and policies regarding immigration. She argued that no foreign government or its citizens should dictate how South Africa manages its borders or enforces its immigration statutes. This assertion of sovereignty was framed as a hard‑won right that must be respected by both domestic and international actors.
Continued Protests Despite Government Appeals
Since 30 June 2026, at least 25 protests or door‑to‑door campaigns have taken place, with demonstrators pledging to march every Thursday to maintain pressure on the government. The protests have been accompanied by sporadic raids in which community members search homes and businesses for undocumented foreigners. Although the number of marchers has declined compared with earlier weeks, the persistence of the demonstrations indicates ongoing public concern about illegal migration.
Deportation and Repatriation Figures Released
Officials reported that from 12 June 2026 to the date of the briefing, 53 449 individuals had been repatriated or deported. This figure underscores the scale of the government’s enforcement efforts amid the heightened public scrutiny. The ministers used the statistic to illustrate that state mechanisms are actively addressing migration‑related issues, even as they cautioned against extrajudicial actions by civilians.
Police Complicity Allegations Raised by Journalists
During the briefing, journalists highlighted numerous instances since 30 June 2026 where police officers were observed accompanying protesters on their routes and standing by while suspected undocumented migrants were removed from their residences. In some cases, personal property was reportedly damaged or looted. Kubayi acknowledged the complaints, stating that the government had raised the matter with the NatJoints (the inter‑agency body of top security leaders) and would revisit the issue to ensure accountability.
Community Policing Forums Engaged to Monitor Vigilantism
Before 30 June 2026, the government and police met with all community policing forums (CPFs) and requested that they report any incidents of violence or vigilante action. Kubayi noted that this outreach aimed to create a partnership between law‑enforcement and local communities, enabling early detection of illegal raids. The CPFs were positioned as a bridge to help authorities respond swiftly while discouraging citizens from taking enforcement into their own hands.
Ministers Stress Mutual Responsibilities
Both Kubayi and Cachalia stressed that the government’s tolerance of peaceful protest hinges on protesters remaining within legal boundaries. In return for protecting the right to demonstrate, the state expects citizens to respect the law and refrain from vigilantism. Cachalia emphasized that after 30 June 2026, the police have a clear duty to enforce the law, especially given the decentralized and unpredictable nature of vigilante activity, which complicates traditional policing methods.
Addressing International Concerns Over Remarks About Nigerians
A Nigerian journalist pressed the ministers to obtain an apology from Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni for a previous comment referring to “the drug dens of Nigerians,” which the journalist interpreted as labeling all Nigerians as drug dealers. Kubayi responded that, should the Nigerian government formally raise the issue, South Africa would address it diplomatically. Cachalia added that the administration’s primary obligation is to South African citizens and that it would continue to respond to domestic concerns about illegal migration without succumbing to external pressure.
Conclusion: Balancing Order, Rights, and Sovereignty
The briefing highlighted a government striving to assert control over migration while upholding constitutional rights to protest and maintaining national sovereignty. Ministers warned against vigilantism, defended the financial outlay for security, and emphasized that law‑enforcement—not civilians—must carry out immigration enforcement. At the same time, they acknowledged shortcomings in police conduct and committed to reviewing allegations of complicity. The ongoing dialogue reflects South Africa’s effort to navigate a complex landscape of public sentiment, legal obligations, and international relations as it seeks to manage migration‑related challenges.