Civic movement March and March says it will continue to enforce the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows citizens to arrest individuals for certain offenses without a warrant.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday night on issues of migration. He said the responsibility for enforcing immigration laws rests with the state alone.
Anti-illegal migrant groups want undocumented foreign nationals to leave the country by the 30th of June.
March and March leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has disputed Ramaphosa’s sentiments that only law enforcement officers can demand proof of documentation from foreign nationals.
“The government is trying to deal with the immigration crisis without the people. And I can safely tell you, if they wanted to make sure that there’s no violence, that people are abiding by the laws when dealing with the immigration crisis, they should have formulated a plan that includes communities in getting rid of illegal immigrants. And now, here’s the problem with what the President is saying…. In section 24 of the Immigration Act, in the Criminal Procedures Act, we are entitled to enforce citizens arrest. The President cannot simply ignore and disown that.”
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma of March & March reacts to Ramaphosa’s address
