Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has appealed for calm ahead of planned nationwide protests over illegal immigration, urging South Africans not to direct their anger at foreign nationals or resort to violence.
Speaking ahead of demonstrations scheduled for next week, Hill-Lewis said public frustration over unemployment, crime and poor service delivery should not be transformed into hostility towards migrants. He stressed that immigration laws must be enforced by the state rather than by vigilante groups or individuals.
The Cape Town mayor revealed that he had contacted President Cyril Ramaphosa to encourage closer cooperation between national, provincial and local governments to maintain public order and protect communities during the planned protests.
Hill-Lewis argued that South Africa’s challenges stem from years of weak economic growth, corruption, failing institutions and poor governance rather than the presence of vulnerable migrants. He said the country’s inability to create jobs, secure its borders, combat crime and deliver basic public services had fuelled growing public anger.
He warned against inflammatory rhetoric that could encourage attacks on foreign nationals and urged South Africans to avoid sharing messages that spread fear or deepen divisions. According to Hill-Lewis, politicians who exploit tensions around immigration for political gain risk undermining the country’s constitutional values and social stability.
The DA leader also praised Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber for efforts to strengthen South Africa’s immigration system through reforms aimed at improving border security, tackling fraud and ensuring immigration laws are applied lawfully.
Hill-Lewis said no private group had the authority to determine who may live in South Africa or to demand identification documents from members of the public. He added that threats against families, businesses, public transport, schools or places of worship could not be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.
In Cape Town, he said municipal law enforcement agencies had been placed on high alert and instructed to maintain a visible presence to safeguard public spaces and critical infrastructure. He also called on governments across the country to take similar steps to prevent violence and ensure that peaceful protest does not descend into disorder.
South Africa has experienced heightened tensions over illegal immigration in recent weeks as several organisations prepare demonstrations calling for stricter immigration enforcement. Authorities have repeatedly warned that while peaceful protest is protected by law, any acts of intimidation, vigilantism or violence will be dealt with by law enforcement agencies.
Discover more from Telly Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
