Hill-Lewis urges calm and rejects violence ahead of June 30 protests

DA Federal Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis called for calm ahead of planned nationwide protests on Tuesday, 30 June, warning that frustration over unemployment, crime and illegal immigration must not be allowed to escalate into violence or lawlessness.

Call to protect foreign nationals and uphold the law

Hill-Lewis urged South Africans not to target foreign nationals during the demonstrations and cautioned against allowing hardship to be exploited by those who would promote division. He said:

“We must never allow certain politicians or vigilantes to abuse the hardship caused by a failing economy to scapegoat and incite violence against foreign nationals to promote their own agendas.”

He insisted that threats of violence and anarchy could not be accepted in a constitutional democracy and stressed that law enforcement is the responsibility of the state.

“The law must be enforced by the state not by mobs, not by vigilantes, and not by politicians who stoke hatred for votes,”

he said.

Rejecting hatred, defending dignity

Addressing broader public sentiment, Hill-Lewis said South Africans should reject hatred and remain committed to the values of the country’s democratic transition.

“South Africans are not a hateful people. We are a decent, generous, resilient people. Let us once again show the best of who we are, not the worst of who we are,”

he said.

He warned that no individual or group had the authority to demand identification documents from members of the public or to take enforcement action in the street.

“No one may demand another person’s papers in the street. No one may threaten a family, close a shop, block a road, or loot a business,”

he said.

Economic roots and legal approach to immigration

Hill-Lewis said South Africa’s deepest problems stemmed from a weak economy and a state that was not functioning effectively, and that these structural challenges could not be reduced to the presence of vulnerable migrants.

“South Africa’s deepest problem is not a vulnerable person selling vegetables on a corner who happens not to be born here. It is an economy that does not grow, a state that does not work, and a government that has failed to create jobs, secure our borders, fight crime and deliver basic services,”

he said.

While acknowledging concerns about illegal immigration, Hill-Lewis said the law must be applied in a way that respects human dignity.

“If people have come to our country illegally, the law must be applied – but it must be applied with the full knowledge that we are dealing with human beings,”

he said.

Rebuilding institutions and government action

Hill-Lewis attributed South Africa’s difficulties to years of corruption and weakened institutions and said rebuilding the state required competent leadership and functional institutions over the long term. He pointed to reforms at Home Affairs under Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, saying the department was working to rebuild immigration systems, digitise processes and combat corruption.

He described Schreiber’s work as strengthening the immigration system so that those in the country illegally could be processed lawfully and deported where necessary, while respecting human dignity.

“That is how a serious country deals with illegal immigration and rebuilding the state,”

he said.

Actions and appeals to leaders

Hill-Lewis said he had instructed Cape Town’s law enforcement services to be ready, visible and firm in maintaining public order and protecting businesses, public transport, schools and places of worship.

He also said he had contacted President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for cooperation across all spheres of government to prevent violence and uphold the rule of law.

“Every mayor, every premier, every minister and every law enforcement agency has a duty to lower the temperature, prevent violence, protect communities and uphold the law,”

he said.

Hill-Lewis concluded by condemning inflammatory rhetoric that he said fuels instability.

“So we must condemn those who speak words they know may cost lives and speak them anyway. These people are not leaders. And their words promise only violence and chaos for our country,”

he said.