The government has dismissed fears of a national shutdown linked to calls for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals from South Africa, insisting that the country will continue to function normally and that no unlawful disruptions will be tolerated.
The planned action has been promoted by activists March and March and Insizwa Ngobunsizwa, who have publicly called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Organisers have argued that illegal immigration places pressure on public services, employment opportunities and community safety.
Speaking during a media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 June 2026, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni made it clear that government would not allow any attempt to shut down the country.
“As we have indicated before, there is nobody who’s going to do a shutdown of this country and we must be very clear about that,” said Ntshavheni.
The minister reaffirmed that South Africans have the constitutional right to protest and express their concerns, but warned that such actions must remain within the bounds of the law.
“South Africans have the right to protest and they can march as provided by the Constitution. But South Africans have no right to take the law into their own hands,” she said.
Government has urged citizens to exercise their democratic rights peacefully and to avoid actions that could lead to violence, intimidation or disruptions to economic activity.
The debate around illegal immigration remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with some community groups calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, while others have cautioned against actions that could fuel xenophobia or target people based on their nationality.
Authorities have indicated that law enforcement agencies will monitor any planned demonstrations to ensure public order is maintained and that all protests comply with the law.
About The Author
