By A Correspondent -The African National Congress (ANC) has condemned acts of vigilantism targeting immigrants and undocumented foreign nationals, warning that such actions threaten South Africa’s constitutional order.

Speaking on the growing tensions surrounding immigration, Fikile Mbalula said citizens cannot take the law into their own hands, even when raising concerns about undocumented migrants.
South Africa has recently experienced an increase in attacks against African and Asian foreign nationals, with vigilante groups allegedly targeting migrant-owned businesses and workers.

Human rights organisations have also raised alarm over assaults on foreign shop owners and online campaigns directed at companies employing non-South Africans.
Mbalula stressed that immigration matters must be handled through lawful state processes rather than mob action.

“Our position as the ANC is that when it comes to issues of immigration and undocumented foreigners, the rule of law must dictate what actually happens,” he said.

“People cannot take the law into their own hands and render us into a banana republic. The state must intervene. That’s what we believe in.”

The ANC secretary-general acknowledged that citizens are free to demonstrate and voice frustrations, but said protests should not cross into unlawful behaviour.

“The current state of the situation in the country borders on vigilantism because it operates outside the parameters of the state and the rule of law in our country. We are a constitutional democracy,” said Mbalula.

“People have the right to protest, but not to take the law into their own hands and give us a terrible image that there is no state in South Africa.”

He added that the government has a responsibility to restore order and provide leadership.

“Vigilantes and groupings do as they wish. So, the state must lead and provide leadership,” he said.