The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has urged organisers of anti-illegal immigration protests to ensure demonstrations remain within the confines of the law.
Speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting over the weekend, Mbalula warned against what he described as possible “third force” infiltration into the protests.
[Ramaphosa Moves To Block Phala Phala Impeachment Push In High Court]
His remarks come as demonstrations linked to illegal immigration have intensified in several parts of South Africa in recent weeks.
Protesters have expressed frustration over what they claim is a growing number of undocumented migrants in the country, blaming them for rising crime, unemployment and the spread of drugs.
ANC Warns Against Illegal Conduct During Immigration Protests
Mbalula stressed that while South Africans had a constitutional right to protest, demonstrations should not descend into unlawful behaviour.
He said: “When we protest and when we mount pressure movements which is our Constitutional right and the standing tradition of our struggle, we urge our people to balance their actions with the discipline of legality. We cannot fight unlawful conduct in a democracy by ourselves engaging in unlawful conduct.”
The ANC leader said communities needed to ensure that frustrations over illegal immigration did not result in actions that violated the law or threatened public order.
Fikile Mbalula Raises Concern Over ‘Third Force’ Infiltration
During the briefing, Mbalula also cautioned protest organisers to remain vigilant against outside elements attempting to exploit tensions surrounding immigration issues.
According to The Times Post, the ANC believes there is a risk that demonstrations could be infiltrated by individuals seeking to destabilise communities or provoke violence.
The party reiterated its position that grievances should be addressed through lawful and constitutional channels.
