A war of words has erupted between government and March and March ahead of planned June 30 anti-illegal immigration demonstrations, with organisers accusing authorities of focusing on security threats instead of addressing concerns over immigration enforcement and corruption.
Image: Nomonde Zondi
A war of words has erupted between government and the organisers of planned anti-illegal immigration demonstrations scheduled for June 30, with protest leaders accusing authorities of focusing on security threats instead of addressing concerns about immigration enforcement, The Mercury has reported.
The dispute intensified after Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned that while South Africans have a constitutional right to protest, authorities would act decisively against any form of lawlessness, violence or destruction of property.
Government has already activated extensive security preparations through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster as the country braces for demonstrations expected in several provinces.
Addressing the media on Monday, Cachalia said the South African Police Service had strengthened operational readiness nationwide and stood prepared to respond to any threats to public order.
“Should the operational environment require additional capacity, SAPS may request the support of the South African National Defence Force to augment existing policing capacity,” he said.
Cachalia said government had undertaken extensive coordination efforts ahead of the demonstrations, including engagements with provincial leaders and traditional leadership structures.
“We acknowledge that many South Africans have genuine concerns about issues affecting our country. Government hears those concerns. However, those concerns must always be expressed lawfully,” he said.
The government's message was met with strong criticism from Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, leader of the March and March movement, one of the groups backing the demonstrations.
Ngobese-Zuma argued that government was focusing on warning citizens rather than addressing concerns about illegal immigration and alleged weaknesses in the country's immigration system.
“I think our government has a serious communication problem,” she said.
“The one thing I'm not understanding is why the government of South Africa is not addressing the real issue, which is the illegal immigration crisis and foreign nationals who are buying documents and corruptly getting onto the system.”
She claimed frustrations among South Africans stemmed from what she described as failures by authorities to enforce existing laws and address corruption within state institutions.
“If you feel like threatening anyone, threaten the illegal immigrants who are in the country illegally. Threaten your own officials who are selling off documents. Threaten government officials who haven't been doing their job,” she said.
Ngobese-Zuma also accused government of ignoring concerns raised by communities while directing warnings at those planning to participate in the demonstrations.
“The same individuals in the country illegally are the ones misbehaving and threatening South Africans, claiming they are armed and ready, yet the only threats are directed towards South Africans,” she said.
Using a family analogy to illustrate her criticism, Ngobese-Zuma said government appeared to be reprimanding citizens while failing to address the root causes of their frustrations.
“It’s like someone crying to their parents saying, 'Mommy, Daddy, you've been neglecting me and I'm so angry.' And you say, 'If you dare touch the children from next door who invaded your space and took over your space, I'm going to beat you up.' Does that make sense?” she said.
She further argued that public concerns about immigration should not automatically be dismissed as xenophobia or ethnic mobilisation.
“Don't tell us about xenophobia or afrophobia or ethnic mobilisation. Tell us about the crisis of illegal immigration in the country and how you are going to fix it. That's what we want to hear,” she said.
Government, however, has maintained that while citizens have every right to express concerns through lawful protest, authorities will act against any conduct that threatens public safety or infringes on the rights of others.
The June 30 demonstrations are expected to test the balance between constitutionally protected protest action and government's responsibility to maintain law and order, with security agencies remaining on high alert ahead of the planned marches.
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