ActionSA has criticised the Government of National Unity over its security plans for the June 30 anti-immigration protests, saying the state should show the same urgency in enforcing immigration laws.
The party’s president, Herman Mashaba, said government had prioritised policing public frustration while the Border Management Authority still faces funding and capacity concerns.
ActionSA Questions R600m Security Allocation
According to IOL, ActionSA criticised the reported R600 million allocation for police deployments at potential hotspots ahead of the June 30 anti-immigration protests.
The protests are linked to March and March, a movement led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. The group has called for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by 30 June 2026. However, Ngobese-Zuma has said the planned action will be peaceful and denied that the movement promotes violence.
Mashaba said government should focus more strongly on border security and the enforcement of existing immigration laws. He argued that South Africans who call for enforcement often hear that the state lacks resources.
“While government has made R600 million available to police public demonstrations tomorrow, ActionSA believes that equal urgency should be applied to strengthening immigration enforcement,” Mashaba said, according to IOL.
Border Management Funding Under Scrutiny
The debate comes after Parliament raised concerns in 2025 about the underfunding of the Border Management Authority. The Standing Committee on Appropriations called for adequate funding and political will to secure South Africa’s borders after briefings from Home Affairs and the BMA.
On 7 June 2026, government announced a broader migration management plan. According to SAnews, the plan includes stronger border security, enforcement of immigration laws, action against corruption and efforts to close policy gaps.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also warned against xenophobia while saying South Africa could enforce immigration laws and still protect human dignity. The Mail & Guardian reported that Ramaphosa said: “We can protect our borders while protecting human dignity.”
ActionSA rejected the plan as inadequate. Mashaba said stronger enforcement would not work unless the BMA received enough funding, staff and equipment.
Officials Warn Against Violence
Authorities have prepared for possible unrest linked to the June 30 anti-immigration protests. Reports say Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned that threats to public order would be dealt with, while government maintained that peaceful protest remains protected.
The protests come amid rising concern about anti-immigrant violence. The Associated Press reported that thousands of African immigrants had left South Africa amid growing fear, while several countries began repatriating citizens.
ActionSA said it supports stricter immigration enforcement but called for peaceful conduct. Mashaba said South Africans were known for hospitality, but added that the country could not tolerate people who abuse its laws.