PRETORIA, Gauteng — In a decisive stand against mob justice, South Africa condemns anti-illegal migrant vigilantism and confirms that law enforcement has launched a wave of arrests to stop private citizens from targeting foreign nationals. The government’s firm rejection of intimidation, looting, and robbery comes as authorities work aggressively to restore order, uphold the rule of law, and ease growing regional diplomatic tensions.
The state’s uncompromising position was outlined on Thursday by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. Speaking in Pretoria shortly after holding bilateral discussions with German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul, Lamola used the platform to address mounting criticism from Ghana and African Union (AU) Chairperson President John Mahama regarding the safety and treatment of non-citizens within the country’s borders.
Mending Fences: The Diplomatic Push
To navigate the diplomatic friction, Lamola recently traveled to Ghana as a special envoy representing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. According to the Minister, the high-level visit successfully decoupled the current border disputes from the broader, historic ties between the two nations.
“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 stated.
A core component of the international dialogue centered on how a sovereign state manages its borders. Lamola reiterated that while South Africa fully exercises its right to enforce immigration laws, the government’s operational focus is strictly on managing *irregular* migration, rather than opposing migration itself.
“All countries have the right… to enforce immigration laws. Immigration must be regular and orderly,” he explained, before adding, “The challenge we face is irregular migration.”
Drawing the Line on Humane Enforcement
The pushback from Accra and the AU was not directed at border enforcement itself, but rather the violent methods reportedly being used by civilians. Lamola acknowledged this distinction, noting the international consensus on human rights.
“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,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Lamola categorically stated that the state will never endorse civilians acting as judge and jury. “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 declared, issuing a direct mandate for the criminal prosecution of all vigilante offenders.
“We call for law enforcement agencies to arrest any perpetrator who takes the law into their own hands,” Lamola added.
Police Crackdown: A Breakdown of Recent Arrests
Dispelling rumors of government inaction or complicity, Lamola provided a detailed breakdown of recent police crackdowns on “self-help” justice and xenophobic attacks, proving that the state is actively protecting foreign nationals:
- Limpopo: Authorities arrested five individuals who attempted to extort and expel a Nigerian entrepreneur. “They allegedly threatened a Nigerian business owner, ordered him to close his business and leave the country, despite Home Affairs confirming that his immigration documents were valid,” Lamola noted.
- Fraud and Robbery: Two suspects are currently in custody for robbing a Zimbabwean citizen while falsely posing as Home Affairs officers.
- Jeffreys Bay: Following the mass looting of 23 local stores, police apprehended 69 individuals. Sixty of those suspects were later released on police warning.
- eMalahleni, Mpumalanga: Four people were arrested in connection with the targeted looting of neighborhood spaza shops.
“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 confirmed.
Restoring the State’s Monopoly on Enforcement
Concluding his remarks, the Minister issued a strict reminder to the public: border control and immigration enforcement are not community policing matters. He urged citizens to step back and allow trained professionals to handle the complexities of the country’s migration framework.
“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,” Lamola instructed, signaling a strict return to institutional authority.
