Does South African law allow citizens to arrest undocumented migrants?

Daily Maverick | 28.06.2026 17:00
As the country gears up for planned demonstrations against illegal migration on Tuesday, 30 June, the South African government has reiterated pleas for citizens not to take immigration law enforcement into their own hands. In a press briefing in Pretoria on 26 June, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said: “We must emphasise... we can work together as stakeholders but in terms of law enforcement, it remains the responsibility of law enforcement.”