'Violence is not activism' NATJOINTS chair Mosikili warns anti-migrant demonstrators

NATJOINTS Chairperson Tebello Mosikili said they strongly condemned the recent incidents of violence in Mossel Bay that resulted in the tragic loss of two lives during activities related to anti-foreigner demonstrations.

She said South Africa was governed by the Constitution and the rule of law, and not by intimidation, violence or vigilantly justice.

"Therefore, no individual, movement, organisation or grouping has the authority to take the law into its own hands, conduct unlawful operations, intimidate communities, target individuals based on their nationality or seek to enforce immigration laws outside the framework of the law," said Mosikili.

"Over the past week, law enforcement agencies have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the rule of law through decisive and heightened actions through Operation Shanella against those who are engaged in public violence and criminal conduct."

She said in the Free State, 166 individuals had been arrested in connection with incidents of public violence and related criminal activities.

Additionally, she said, five people in the Western Cape were arrested in connection with intimidation and violence.

Mosikili reiterated that NATJOINTS does not want to 'criminalise' people, but warned that taking the law into one's own hands was inherently criminal.

Over the past three weeks, more than 5 000 people have been arrested for the contravention of the Immigration Act.

"Since 1 January 2026, law enforcement operations conducted across the country have resulted in the arrest of 34,798 illegal immigrants. In the previous financial year, a total of 76,588 illegal immigrants were arrested."

She said these figures illustrate that government was not turning a blind eye to illegal immigration.

"Through intelligence-led operations, roadblocks, compliance inspections, and multidisciplinary actions involving various government departments, we continue to identify, arrest, and process those who are in the country unlawfully."

She said there was no grievance, no concern, no frustration or cause that can justify murder, assault, intimidation, arson, looting, xenophobic attacks, or any other form of criminal conduct.

"Violence is not activism. Intimidation is not community protection."

She said criminal conduct remained criminal conduct no matter what the reason was.

Mosikili said South Africans have every right to voice their concerns regarding crime, illegal immigration, and service delivery challenges, but this cannot justify lawlessness.

She added that government recognised the concerns raised by people and continued to address them.

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