The South African government has issued a stern warning to individuals exploiting social media to incite violence and intimidate foreign nationals amidst growing tensions surrounding migration policies and asylum applications, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration raised alarms over the spread of inflammatory and misleading content that could provoke hostility against foreign populations and public institutions.
‘Freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution; however, the incitement of violence, intimidation, hate speech, and criminal conduct are not protected and will not be tolerated,’ stated IMC Chair Mmamoloko Kubayi during a press briefing on Sunday.
The call for restraint comes on the heels of a high-profile Constitutional Court ruling on the processing of asylum applications, which declared certain sections of the Refugees Act unconstitutional—specifically, provisions allowing for the deportation of asylum seekers without a transit visa.
This ruling, delivered on 7 July 2026, found that such deportations infringed upon the rights of individuals seeking refuge.
In response to the judgment, the IMC noted a surge of uncertainty and agitation within communities, urging the public, civil society groups, and political stakeholders to exercise caution while legal procedures are underway.
‘Matters relating to asylum, migration, and border management must be addressed through lawful processes and not through misinformation, intimidation, incitement, or acts of violence,’ added Kubayi.
The IMC also reaffirmed the constitutional right of citizens to peacefully assemble and express their grievances. However, it clarified that this right does not encompass intimidation, looting, or public violence, emphasising that South Africa remains a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.
In a bid to address community grievances, the IMC has engaged with various civil society organisations, including Operation Dudula, the South African Council of Churches, and the United Civic Movement.
These organisations have voiced concerns and provided feedback on migration issues, demonstrating a commitment to fostering dialogue between citizens and the government.
While addressing these concerns, Kubayi confirmed that law enforcement operations regarding immigration would persist, including deportations.
‘Our work on enforcing the law will continue; this therefore means deportations will continue,’ she stated, reinforcing that individuals who have not applied for asylum or whose claims have been rejected will continue to face removal from the country.
Furthermore, the government is pursuing a supervisory order from the courts to facilitate the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s judgment, aiming to enhance the operational capacity of the Department of Home Affairs concerning asylum applications.
The IMC has committed to keep the public informed throughout this legal process, urging citizens to rely on credible information sources and dismiss misleading narratives that could incite division.
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