South African government urges people to maintain rule of law amid anti-immigration marches

Caretaker government spokesman Nomonde Mnukwa made the call in a statement on Wednesday (local time), as several political parties and watchdog groups marched to demand foreign nationals produce documentation.

Anti-immigration group March & March held a protest in Pretoria on Tuesday and in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Local and international media have also reported recent incidents of harassment and attacks against foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, Xinhua news agency reported.

Mnukwa said the government is committed to sovereignty, security and the rule of law, and called on members of the public to work with law enforcement authorities to address concerns related to illegal immigration and illegal activities.

He urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands, saying, “Such concerns should be reported to the South African Police Service, immigration authorities, or other relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that they can be addressed legally and effectively.”

Mnukwa said the government is strengthening measures to address illegal immigration, including tightening border controls to combat illegal entry, illicit trade and fraudulent activities that undermine revenue collection and the rule of law.

He said the government has also introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization System to enhance South Africa's ability to manage the movement of people in a secure, transparent and efficient manner while improving infrastructure at some ports of entry.