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President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed for calm and respect for the rule of law ahead of nationwide protests against undocumented immigration planned for Tuesday.

Ramaphosa said, while South Africans have legitimate concerns about illegal immigration, those grievances must not be used to justify violence, intimidation or vigilantism.

In a statement issued on the eve of the demonstrations on Monday, Ramaphosa, while acknowledging growing public frustration over undocumented immigration, border security, pressure on public services and criminal syndicates that exploit weaknesses in the country’s immigration system, said the concerns needed to be raised through lawful and democratic means.

“The right to protest is enshrined in our Constitution, but the right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow people to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence,” he said

Ramaphosa’s statement comes as several organisations prepare for protests on June 30 in demand for stronger action against undocumented foreign nationals.

Authorities have expressed concern that some demonstrations could descend into violence, particularly following inflammatory rhetoric on social media and reports of isolated incidents of intimidation in some communities.

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Ramaphosa, who stressed that South Africa remained a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, said no citizen or organisation had the authority to enforce immigration laws.

Only authorised law-enforcement agencies, Ramaphosa said, could demand identification documents or take action against individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully.

Drawing parallels with the country’s apartheid past, Ramaphosa warned against any attempts by private citizens to stop people on the streets to verify their nationality or immigration status.

“The painful history of the pass laws reminds us why the authority to demand identification and enforce immigration laws belongs to government law-enforcement officers acting within the Constitution, not to private individuals,” he said.

Vigilantism disguised as patriotism, Ramaphosa said, has no place in a constitutional democracy.

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The government, Ramaphosa said, has already accepted that South Africa’s immigration system requires significant reform to strengthen border management and improve the asylum and visa systems.

Ramaphosa welcomed assurances from some organisers that they opposed violence, saying they would be held accountable for ensuring that protests did not degenerate into criminality.

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Law-enforcement agencies, Ramaphosa said, were on high alert and stood ready to protect both the constitutional right to protest and the safety of communities.

The president also reminded South Africans that many foreign nationals residing in the country were in South Africa legally, contributing to the economy through work, study and investment, and remained entitled to the protection of the Constitution.