Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says South Africa is governed by the rule of law, and police are expected to enforce the law “without fear or favour”.
Kachaliya made this comment while releasing the country's latest quarterly crime figures on Friday.
His comments come as mass civil society-led marches and protests continue in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with protesters demanding tougher action against illegal immigration.
Addressing the issue directly, Cachalia stressed that South African law draws a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration.
He said, “Our laws allow legal immigration, not illegal, and our police must enforce these laws throughout the country and at our borders.”
He also warned that although citizens have a constitutional right to protest, acts of vigilantism and public disorder will not be tolerated.
“Our laws include the right to protest, but vigilantism, criminality and anarchy are not allowed in public. The police have the responsibility to maintain public peace and will enforce the law to ensure that public order is maintained,” Cachalia said.
The acting minister confirmed that the South African Human Rights Commission has written to him regarding the protests and said that the government will engage with organizations leading anti-illegal immigration protests.
He added, “I can also confirm that the government will be engaging with groups who are organizing protest actions over illegal immigration to explain our position on this matter.”
Cachalia also used the briefing to acknowledge the fears that many South Africans are facing due to violent crime, as well as praising communities working together with police to improve safety.
He said, “To the people of South Africa, I see the fear you live with. I see the courage you show in reporting crime, testifying in court, and standing up against gangs.”
He praised community policing forums, patrol groups and local crime prevention initiatives, saying that these interventions play an important role in reducing violence at the grassroots level.
He said, “These data provide us with guidance. Our job is to turn this decline in violent crime into a sustained, long-term reduction in violence and organized criminality across the country.”
Cachalia said the government is committed to ensuring that security “becomes a lived reality in every home, every road, every school, every taxi rank and every village in this country.”
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Jacaranda FM