South Africa must act against vigilantes, ICJ says as migrants face 30 June deadline
South Africa is on edge. Vigilante groups like Operation Dudula and March and March have given undocumented migrants a…
South Africa is on edge. Vigilante groups like Operation Dudula and March and March have given undocumented migrants and even legal foreign nationals a deadline: leave by 30 June.
These groups block access to hospitals and schools. They demand identity documents in public spaces. They create a climate of fear. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is deeply concerned.
« No private individual or organization has the authority to enforce immigration laws, » said Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, Director of the ICJ’s Africa Programme .
The High Court in Johannesburg already ruled against Operation Dudula in November 2025. The court found the group guilty of intimidation and hate speech. It prohibited them from demanding ID documents and interfering with healthcare access. But the harassment continues.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out. He said immigration enforcement belongs to the state, not private citizens . However, the ICJ worries that his recent statements about deporting undocumented people might be seen as support for vigilante demands.
South Africa has legal obligations under international law and its own Constitution to protect everyone within its borders from violence and discrimination .
Yet groups continue to operate with little apparent consequence. With the 30 June deadline approaching, people are scared. The state must act to prevent violence and uphold the rule of law.
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