Govt will protect lawful business in SA: Ramaphosa – SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa’s news leader.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed that government will protect lives, property and people’s right to conduct lawful business in the country amid ongoing protests over illegal immigration.
He was speaking at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 170th anniversary gala dinner on Wednesday night.
Ramaphosa denounced the recent violence and attacks on businesses, and stressed that the city’s economic prosperity depends on social stability.
He warned against using grievances over illegal immigration as a pretext for criminality and to divide communities.
Ramaphosa says, “South Africa is a country founded on the principles of human dignity, of equality and the rule of law. We will uphold these principles without fear or favour. Government will take the necessary steps to protect lives, property and the right of every person to conduct lawful business in safety.”
His statements come after Police Minister Feroz Cachalia approached the courts seeking an urgent interdict against March and March and its leaders, including Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.
According to court papers, the minister wants to prevent them from marching, engaging in intimidation and disrupting operations at state institutions including hospitals and Home Affairs Offices.
The application is expected to be heard in the Durban High Court on Friday.