JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the recent violent protests directed at foreign nationals in various parts of the country.
In his latest letter, President Ramaphosa said these acts do not reflect the views of South Africans or government policy.
He calls them opportunistic and criminal.
"These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of ‘community activism’.
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"Some of these people are assuming functions that only state officials are permitted to perform, including stopping people to check identification and conducting searches of private property. Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are," the president wrote.
He said that government will not tolerate lawlessness, urging South Africans to address illegal immigration within the law.
He says undocumented migrants put a heavy strain on healthcare, housing, and municipal services.
His comments come as anti-illegal immigration protests continue nationwide.