South Africa’s government has warned against vigilantism and violence during ongoing protests linked to illegal immigration, as security agencies increase monitoring efforts across affected communities.
Speaking during a post-cabinet media briefing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said crime intelligence and law enforcement agencies were closely tracking developments amid growing tensions surrounding criminality, undocumented migration, and misinformation.
Government reiterated that while citizens have the constitutional right to protest, authorities would not tolerate violence, organised criminal activity or acts of vigilantism.
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Ntshavheni acknowledged that many communities had genuine concerns about crime and undocumented migrants, but stressed that frustrations should not result in unlawful behaviour. She said law enforcement agencies must be allowed to deal with criminal elements operating in affected areas.
“What’s worse is those that are involved in criminality, those who are involved in selling drugs to our children, in drug peddling in our communities, those who intimidate South Africans, abducting them, kidnapping them, burning their shops, there’s no Sharia law in South Africa, you cannot undermine the laws of this country and want to impose your own law. South Africans will not sit quietly.”
South Africa Immigration Protest Monitoring Intensified
Ntshavheni said authorities were stepping up surveillance and monitoring operations amid fears that some demonstrations were taking on ethnic undertones that could deepen divisions within communities.
“It’s not the state security alone that is monitoring the protests. It’s also the law enforcements that are monitoring the protests so that we can hold everybody to accountable.”
The government said intelligence-led operations would continue as officials worked to manage tensions and address criminality connected to the protests.
Cabinet Condemns Fake Videos And AI-Generated Content
Cabinet also criticised the circulation of false videos and images allegedly depicting attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
According to government, some of the material being shared online includes AI-generated content and footage taken from other countries, falsely presented as incidents of xenophobic violence in South Africa.
“Cabinet condemned the viral circulation of fake videos and images claiming to be attacks of foreign nationals in South Africa.”
Ntshavheni warned that misleading online content was damaging the country’s international reputation.
“It’s a reputation issue because those who want to diminish the status of South Africa are using AI-generated videos.”
Authorities said efforts to counter misinformation and maintain stability would remain ongoing as immigration-related protests continue in parts of the country.
