“You Cannot Demand Their Papers”: Minister Issues Warning to South Africans

Home Affairs Minister Issues Strong Warning to South Africans Over Foreigners’ Rights and Immigration Enforcement

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister has issued a strong warning to members of the public against taking immigration enforcement into their own hands, stressing that foreign nationals accused of entering the country illegally remain entitled to human dignity and constitutional protection.

The minister emphasised that breaking the law, or being suspected of doing so, does not strip anyone of their fundamental human rights. His remarks come amid continuing public debate about illegal immigration, border control and the treatment of foreign nationals in communities across the country.

According to the minister, South Africa’s Constitution protects every person’s inherent human dignity, regardless of their nationality or immigration status. He said these protections apply even when someone is accused of committing an offence, including entering the country without the required legal authorisation.

“To make the point and really echo the message that the IMC has sounded, someone who violates a law, or who is alleged to have violated a law, whether it is someone who is accused of theft, whether it is someone who is accused of illegally entering a country, they do not void or lose their inherent human dignity and human rights,” the minister said.

The minister also cautioned South Africans against demanding identification documents or immigration papers from foreign nationals without lawful authority. He made it clear that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the state and its authorised institutions, not individual citizens or organised groups.

He warned that vigilantism, xenophobia, discrimination and the incitement of violence cannot be justified by suspicions about another person’s immigration status.

“No person has the right to enforce immigration laws outside of the state, demand papers, demand identification. No person has the right to incite violence. No person has the right to engage in vigilantism. No person has the right to engage in xenophobia or any other discriminatory practice,” he stated.

The minister further explained that the Department of Home Affairs plays a central role in managing civil registration, population administration and immigration matters. These responsibilities require immigration concerns to be addressed through lawful procedures rather than intimidation or violence.

He warned that allegations about a person’s immigration status must never become an excuse to violate constitutional rights or threaten public safety.

“We will not tolerate anyone using allegations or suspicions relating to an individual’s immigration status to violate their inherent human dignity, violate their constitutional rights. It simply cannot and will not be allowed to stand,” he said.

The minister’s message reinforces the distinction between enforcing immigration laws and protecting individual rights. South Africans with concerns about suspected immigration violations are expected to report them to the appropriate authorities.

Ultimately, the government faces the challenge of enforcing immigration regulations while upholding constitutional principles, maintaining public order and preventing xenophobic attacks. The minister’s warning makes clear that immigration concerns must be handled through the law, not through mob action or discrimination.

Source https://x.com/i/status/2108475497214599233

SA-King feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com