Tinotenda Hove – Cyril Ramaphosa has held urgent talks with leaders of the protest movement Insizwa Nobunsizwa amid growing tensions over migration-related demonstrations in South Africa.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, officials confirmed that President Ramaphosa met on Monday, June 29, with movement leaders Ngizwe Mchunu and Nkosikhona Ndabandaba to discuss their grievances and the escalating protests.

During the meeting, Ramaphosa reportedly made it clear that while citizens have a constitutional right to demonstrate, such actions must remain lawful and non-violent. He warned that protest action cannot be used as a justification for disorder or lawlessness.

“The right to protest is coupled with the responsibility to observe the law and to protest peacefully,” the Presidency said, underscoring the government’s stance on public demonstrations.

After hearing the concerns raised by the two leaders, the President reiterated that his administration is actively dealing with migration-related challenges. He also stressed that the state alone has the legal authority to implement and enforce immigration laws.

According to the Presidency, Ramaphosa emphasized that migration enforcement cannot be outsourced to pressure groups or vigilante-style activism, reinforcing the government’s exclusive mandate in handling border and immigration matters.