Cape Town mayor and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for calm, restraint, and constitutional order amid rising tensions over illegal immigration and fears of unrest in South Africa.

This comes ahead of a 30 June “deadline” set by anti-immigrant groups, who say that all foreigners in the country illegally must have left South Africa by that date.

The Common Sense has said that while there are serious concerns around this, it is unlikely that the groups’ threats could see South Africa descend into widespread violence and unrest.

In an address last night, Hill-Lewis warned that growing frustration linked to unemployment, crime, and illegal immigration must not be allowed to spill into violence or scapegoating of foreign nationals.

He said South Africans were “angry and frustrated” about worsening economic conditions and state failure, but stressed that this anger must never be directed into hatred or vigilante action.

“Our frustration must never become hatred. And it must never become violence,” he said.

Hill-Lewis warned against political actors or vigilante groups who he said were attempting to exploit economic hardship for political gain by inciting hostility against migrants. He argued that South Africans are a “decent, generous, resilient people” and should not allow divisions to take hold.

A central theme of the address was the role of the state in enforcing law and order. Hill-Lewis said immigration enforcement must be carried out by government institutions rather than mobs or self-appointed groups, adding that “no individual or group gets to set deadlines for who may live in South Africa”.

He linked the broader crisis to structural economic and governance failures, saying the country’s core problem was weak growth, high unemployment, and broken state institutions rather than foreign nationals themselves.

“The real crisis is an economy that does not grow, and a state that does not work,” Hill-Lewis added.

Hill-Lewis also pointed to reforms underway in ministries controlled by the DA in the Government of National Unity, highlighting Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s work on digitising systems, strengthening border management, and improving lawful deportation processes while upholding human dignity.

As mayor of Cape Town, he said city law enforcement had been placed on high alert to maintain order, protect infrastructure, and ensure public spaces, transport routes, and businesses remained secure.

He called on all levels of government, including the presidency, provinces, and municipalities, to coordinate efforts to prevent violence and stabilise communities ahead of expected tensions linked to migration-related protests.

Concluding his address, Hill-Lewis urged South Africans to reject inflammatory messaging and instead uphold constitutional values.

“Do not be drawn into hatred. Stand for peace, order, and the Constitution,” he said.