President urges demonstrators to avoid intimidation ahead of June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
4:55 AM
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned people intending to protest against migrants in South Africa to do so without "intimidation, threats or ultimatums," as an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country approaches on June 30.
The warning comes as tensions have escalated across the country in recent months. Several thousand citizens of other African countries have already departed South Africa in recent weeks, citing fears of violence. One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was "happy to be going back" but described himself as "heartbroken" to be leaving behind four young children.
Ramaphosa has repeatedly cautioned demonstrators to act peacefully and responsibly while acknowledging the need for immigration reforms. He reminded citizens that "some foreign nationals who live in South Africa are here lawfully."
In Johannesburg's informal settlement of Tembelihle, residents gathered on Sunday ahead of the June 30 deadline. The meeting was organized by the Tembelihle Crisis Committee, a grassroots movement that has previously opposed xenophobic violence. Its leaders said the aim was to discourage attacks on foreign nationals as tensions rose across the country.
About 300 people attended the meeting, including Malawian migrants concerned about the coming days. The gathering exposed sharp divisions within the community. Some speakers urged residents not to target foreign nationals, while others blamed migrants for crime and social problems and called for foreigners to leave.
Migrants have gathered outside their country's consulates in Johannesburg as rumors and warnings spread ahead of the disputed June 30 deadline. Fear has grown in Johannesburg markets as the date approaches, with foreign nationals expressing anxiety about potential violence.
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