President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent anti-foreigner violence and warned that lawlessness and xenophobia will not be tolerated, while reaffirming government’s commitment to tackling illegal immigration within the law.
Image: GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in parts of South Africa, warning that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands.
In his weekly newsletter to the nation, Ramaphosa said the attacks and intimidation of foreign nationals “do not represent the views of South Africa’s people nor reflect our government’s policy.”
“The recent violent protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals in parts of our country do not represent the views of South Africa’s people nor reflect our government’s policy,” Ramaphosa said.
He described those behind the unrest as “opportunists” exploiting the frustrations of poor communities under the guise of activism.
“Some of these people are assuming functions that only state officials are permitted to perform, including stopping people to check identification and conducting searches of private property. Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are,” Ramaphosa added.
While condemning xenophobic violence, the president acknowledged growing public concern over undocumented migration, saying illegal immigration poses risks to “social stability, governance and national security.”
He said undocumented migration places severe pressure on healthcare, housing and municipal services, especially in struggling communities, while also distorting the labour market.
“In a country with high unemployment, some employers are exploiting undocumented, cheaper foreign labour over hiring citizens and paying them legal wages,” he said.
“Not only is this fuelling social tension, it is actively undermining our labour protection regime and eroding the hard-won rights of workers.”
Ramaphosa said government was intensifying efforts to secure South Africa’s borders and enforce immigration and labour laws. He praised the Border Management Authority for intercepting around 450,000 people attempting to enter the country illegally during the last financial year.
The president also reiterated plans announced during the State of the Nation Address to recruit up to 10,000 labour inspectors to clamp down on employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals illegally.
“We continue to arrest and deport undocumented foreign nationals in accordance with the law, as we take forward the fight against corruption within the immigration system,” he said.
At the same time, Ramaphosa warned South Africans against contributing to illegal activities linked to undocumented migration, including fake marriages, corruption and the illegal sale of state-subsidised housing.
He stressed that South Africa remained committed to African solidarity, regional integration and human rights, saying isolated criminal acts should not damage the country’s international standing.
“There is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance or violence,” Ramaphosa said.
“Everyone in South Africa is bound by the same laws and we are committed to ensure that they are respected and upheld by citizen and foreign national alike.”
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