The South African government has allayed fears over anti-immigrantion and xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals and their businesses, insisting June 30 remains a normal day in the country.

Speaking during a press conference on Friday, the country’s minister of justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, said the country is committed to protecting foreign nationals against any form of abuse or intimidation.

Ms Kubayi stated, “Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of the state. We are ready as a state to protect foreign nationals and citizens against any form of abuse and intimidation. This indicates that 30th of June is normal day. It’s not shutdown or blow away.”

Citizen-led anti-immigration groups, including March and March and Operation Dudula, had set June 30 as the deadline for foreign nationals to vacate the rainbow country or face dire consequences.

Ms Kubayi, who said the government did not recognise the deadline, urged all citizens, including foreigners, to carry on with their daily activities peacefully.

She added, “We do not recognise the 30th as a shutdown or off day. People who run away from work will not get paid. Employees are expected to be at work. Those who are transporting are expected to go with their business and everybody who is running business is expected to do so. This is their legal and constitutional right and no one has the right to infringe on them.”

Stressing that no unauthorised person is permitted to demand a proof of nationality from anyone, the minister explained that “blocking access for anyone to go to clinics, schools or other public institutions is prohibited and against the law.”

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting foreign nationals, warning perpetrators of violence and any form of racism would be punished in accordance with the law.

“Violence and intimidation against foreign citizens in this country is against the law and will be prosecuted in accordance with relevant legal provisions. Advocates or perpetrators of racism, sexism, tribalism, hate speech, Afrophobia, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance have no place in our country that is founded under the ideals of Ubuntu document for our constitutional democracy,” Ms Kubayi added. 

The minister’s clarification came amid growing anti-immigrantion and xenophobic attacks targeted at foreign nationals and their businesses in the country.

Meanwhile, countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, had evacuations a number of their citizens willing to leave the country amid the escalating tensions.

On Wednesday, another set of 66 Nigerians were repatriated from the rainbow country bringing the total number of evacuees to 326.