Ramaphosa vows government will protect lives, property and lawful business amid protests

President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that government will protect lives, property and the right of people to run lawful businesses across South Africa. He made the pledge on Wednesday night while speaking at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 170th anniversary gala dinner in eThekwini.

The president said South Africa is built on human dignity, equality and the rule of law. These principles will be upheld without fear or favour. “Government will take the necessary steps to protect lives, property and the right of every person to conduct lawful business in safety,” he told the business leaders.

His remarks come as anti-illegal immigration protests continue in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of the country. In recent weeks, small businesses in the Durban metro have been looted and vandalised. Police are also investigating the killing of a man in the Durban central business district last week. Ramaphosa described the incidents as isolated but said government is taking no chances.

He warned that some people are using public feelings about illegal migration to stir up communities and cover criminal acts. “Whatever grievances people may have, there can be no justification for violence, looting and the destruction of livelihoods,” he said. Concerns about immigration must not be used to turn communities against one another.

To support the police, the president has authorised the deployment of 510 South African National Defence Force members to KwaZulu-Natal under Operation Prosper. The soldiers will remain in the province until the end of November. The deployment is expected to cost about R34 million.

Police Minister Feroz Cachalia has also approached the courts for an urgent interdict against the March and March group and its leaders, including Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The application seeks to stop them from marching, intimidating people or disrupting operations at hospitals and Home Affairs offices. The matter is expected to be heard in the Durban High Court on Friday.

Ramaphosa reminded the audience that the local government elections are only days away and the political climate is charged. He said investment and economic recovery cannot grow where there is lawlessness or fear. He called on business and communities to remain united, recalling how the province recovered after the July 2021 unrest and the 2022 floods.

“Just as we refused to be turned against each other before, we will refuse to be divided now,” he said. The president stressed that only the state has the authority to enforce immigration laws and that all people living in the country are entitled to the protection of the Constitution.

Source: https://x.com/SABCNews/status/2115664804383986113

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