PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africa has strongly condemned a recent surge in anti-illegal migrant vigilantism, firmly rejecting private citizens taking the law into their own hands against foreign nationals. In a decisive move to quell the unrest and address growing diplomatic friction, the government confirmed that police have already executed a series of arrests linked to the intimidation, looting, and robbery of migrants.
The firm stance was articulated by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola during a press briefing on Thursday, following high-level talks with German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul. Lamola’s comments directly addressed recent criticism from Ghana and the African Union (AU), led by AU Chairperson President John Mahama, regarding the safety of foreign nationals in the country.
Diplomatic Engagement and Bilateral Ties
To address the diplomatic fallout, Lamola traveled to Ghana earlier this week acting as a special envoy for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He noted that both nations reached a mutual understanding to protect their diplomatic ties.
“There was an agreement between ourselves and Ghana that the current migration-related challenges will not stand in the way of South Africa-Ghana bilateral relations. South Africa and Ghana have long-enduring good friendship and relations,” Lamola explained.
Addressing the root of the border issues, the Minister clarified the government’s position on immigration. He emphasized that while every sovereign nation possesses the inherent right to enforce its borders, the focus must remain on orderly processes.
“All countries have the right… to enforce immigration laws. Immigration must be regular and orderly,” Lamola stated. He drew a sharp distinction between the country’s stance on legal migration and its ongoing operational challenges, noting, “The challenge we face is irregular migration.”
Rejecting Mob Justice and Vigilantism
The diplomatic pushback from Accra and the AU was primarily centered on the humane treatment of foreign nationals. Lamola acknowledged these concerns, explaining the international perspective: “They are both raising… that even when there is irregular migration, it must be dealt with in a humane way. It will not be dealt with through people taking the law into their own hands.”
Echoing this sentiment, Lamola made it unequivocally clear that the South African government rejects civilian interference in law enforcement.
“We have said as a South African government, we condemn [it] and would not promote any private citizen taking the law into their own hands,” he said. He also issued a direct directive regarding the prosecution of offenders, adding, “We call for law enforcement agencies to arrest any perpetrator who takes the law into their own hands.”
Police Action and Specific Arrests
Pushing back against narratives of state inaction, Lamola detailed the active measures being taken by law enforcement. “There is action that the South African Police Service is taking against the perpetrators of self-help, taking the law into their own hands,” Lamola noted.
He highlighted several specific cases where authorities have intervened to protect foreign nationals and halt vigilante activities:
- Limpopo: Five suspects were apprehended for allegedly threatening a Nigerian business owner, demanding he close his shop and leave the country. This intimidation occurred despite the Department of Home Affairs having already verified the businessman’s immigration documents as valid.
- Impersonation and Robbery: Two individuals were arrested for robbing a Zimbabwean national while fraudulently impersonating Home Affairs officials.
- Jeffreys Bay: A massive crackdown resulted in 69 arrests for the looting of 23 shops. Of those detained, 60 were subsequently released on police warning.
- eMalahleni, Mpumalanga: Four suspects were taken into custody following the targeted looting of local spaza shops.
Reaffirming State Authority
Concluding his remarks, Lamola reminded the public that border and immigration control is exclusively the mandate of state organs, urging citizens to leave enforcement to the professionals.
“The enforcement of migration and irregular migration should be left to the authorities, Home Affairs, the South African Police, labour inspectors, and the immigration officers of Home Affairs or the BMA,” he urged, signaling a strict return to the rule of law.
