PRETORIA — The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration has announced intensified enforcement operations to manage irregular migration across the country. Outlining progress on border security and deportations, the committee emphasized that the government retains the sole mandate for executing law enforcement under a comprehensive five-point strategy. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi led the briefing, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to the rule of law while addressing recent citizen-led enforcement actions.
Kubayi stressed that South Africa’s governance is anchored in the non-negotiable principle of the rule of law, urging the public to recognize that the state holds the exclusive responsibility for executing law enforcement. She specifically condemned citizens who have taken it upon themselves to conduct identity checks and immigration enforcement actions, declaring such vigilantism illegal and demanding that it cease immediately.
While unauthorized enforcement is prohibited, the Minister clarified that citizens are encouraged to report suspected criminality or alert the proper authorities when witnessing illegal acts.
Addressing widespread misquotations of the law, Kubayi provided critical clarification regarding the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) of 1977. She explained that while the legislation does permit citizen’s arrests under specific conditions, it strictly prohibits victimization, intimidation, and physical abuse. “You don’t beat the people up. You don’t intimidate the people,” Kubayi stated, emphasizing that any arrested individual must be immediately handed over to the police. She reiterated that the CPA must be exercised strictly within the confines of the law, and any deviation constitutes illegal behavior.
Furthermore, the Minister took the opportunity to vehemently correct the false narrative portraying South Africa as an inherently xenophobic or unwelcoming nation. She highlighted the country’s historical tradition of hosting diverse communities from across the globe. Kubayi reaffirmed that the nation remains deeply committed to the African Union Agenda 2063, a continental framework dedicated to promoting a better, more integrated Africa for all its people.
