South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged citizens to exercise restraint ahead of the 30 June deadline for planned nationwide protests, stressing that the constitutional rights to protest and freedom of expression must be exercised peacefully.
In a statement issued on the eve of the demonstrations, Ramaphosa said that while South Africans have the right to voice their grievances, those freedoms do not extend to threatening or intimidating others or engaging in acts of vandalism and violence.
“Your right to protest and freedom of expression does not allow you to threaten or intimidate others, or to engage in acts of vandalism or violence,” the president said.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions and growing concerns over potential unrest, as authorities prepare for demonstrations expected to take place across parts of the country on Monday.
