PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a forceful condemnation of violence against foreign nationals as criminal opportunism, while vowing escalated deportations and border enforcement – amid a diplomatic row with African nations over attacks on their citizens.
In a letter titled “Everyone in South Africa must respect and uphold our laws”, Ramaphosa rejects the protests as unrepresentative. “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,” he said. “These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of ‘community 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 ties the unrest to the toll of illegal immigration on poor communities. “Undocumented migration places strain on healthcare, housing, and municipal services… It distorts 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. Not only is this fuelling social tension, but it is also actively undermining our labour protection regime and eroding the hard-won rights of workers.”
Aggressive enforcement measures outlined
The president details the response: “The Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Defence Force are strengthening border security… We commend the BMA for successfully intercepting some 450,000 people trying to enter South Africa illegally in the past financial year.” He announces: “We announced in the State of the Nation Address that we would be hiring up to 10,000 inspectors through the Department of Labour and Employment to ensure that our labour and immigration laws are adhered to. 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.”
Ramaphosa calls for collective responsibility: “This is a society-wide challenge in which the private sector and government should all play a constructive part. South African citizens who collude with undocumented foreign nationals in fake marriages, the illegal sale of state-subsidised housing, or accepting bribes to facilitate access to social services only deepen the problem. Many South Africans are exploiting undocumented labour in households and in the informal sector.”
Defending Africa’s solidarity amid backlash
Facing continental criticism, Ramaphosa pushes back: “As a country, we must reject attempts to damage our country’s international reputation and to undermine the solidarity that has defined South Africa’s relations with the rest of Africa since the dawn of democracy.” He highlights refugee policies: “We have a strong refugee protection framework that prioritises integration of persons displaced by conflict, war and persecution. Refugees are not confined to camps, as happens in some other countries. In South Africa, they are able to live in communities, participate in the economy and access services like healthcare and education.”
On tourism and ties: “South Africa continues to play its part in deepening regional economic integration and travel. Last year alone, visitors from African countries accounted for just over 8 million of a total of 10.5 million tourist arrivals. South Africa invests significantly in strengthening academic, cultural, and institutional ties with the rest of Africa through hosting students and academics from Africa in our universities, through people-to-people exchanges, and through our hosting of the Pan-African Parliament.”
“Our demonstrated commitment to deepening African integration and solidarity should not be undermined by isolated acts of criminality,” he asserts, addressing Ghana’s push to put foreigner mistreatment on the African Union agenda, plus concern letters from nations like Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique – which have repatriated citizens. “South Africa is not unique in confronting the pressures associated with undocumented migration. Many countries across the world, including in Africa, are themselves grappling with similar tensions.”
Ramaphosa concludes firmly: “Like every other country in the world, we will continue asserting our sovereign right to regulate migration, secure our borders, and enforce our laws. We must make it clear that there is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance, or violence. Everyone in South Africa is bound by the same laws, and we are committed to ensuring that they are respected and upheld by citizens and foreign nationals alike.”
The standoff highlights migration strains, with 33% unemployment stoking tensions.
