Amanze Chinonye
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent xenophobic violence and attacks targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country, describing the perpetrators as opportunists exploiting public frustration under the guise of community activism.
In his weekly “From the Desk of the President” newsletter released on Monday, Ramaphosa said the violent protests and criminal acts directed at migrants did not reflect the views of South Africans or the policy of his government.
“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.
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The South African leader warned that some individuals had unlawfully assumed responsibilities reserved for state authorities, including stopping people to demand identification documents and conducting searches of private property.
“Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are,” Ramaphosa stated.
At the same time, the president acknowledged that undocumented migration remains a serious challenge affecting social stability, governance and national security in South Africa.
According to him, illegal immigration places additional pressure on healthcare, housing and municipal services, especially in poorer communities, while also distorting the labour market in a country battling high unemployment.
Ramaphosa accused some employers of exploiting undocumented foreign labour by paying wages below legal standards instead of employing South African citizens.
“Not only is this fuelling social tension, it is actively undermining our labour protection regime and eroding the hard-won rights of workers,” he said.
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The president disclosed that the Border Management Authority and the South African Defence Force were intensifying efforts to secure the country’s borders and combat illegal cross-border activities.
He revealed that the Border Management Authority intercepted about 450,000 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally during the last financial year.
Ramaphosa also said the government was strengthening workplace enforcement against employers hiring undocumented migrants in violation of labour and immigration laws.
He recalled that his administration had announced plans during the State of the Nation Address to recruit up to 10,000 labour inspectors through the Department of Employment and Labour to improve compliance with labour and immigration regulations.
The president further blamed corruption within the immigration system, accusing some South Africans of colluding with undocumented migrants through fake marriages, illegal sale of state-subsidised housing and bribery linked to access to public services.
Despite the growing tensions, Ramaphosa insisted that xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation and violence had no place in South Africa, warning that isolated criminal acts should not damage the country’s relationship with the rest of Africa.
He stressed that South Africa remained committed to African integration, solidarity and refugee protection since the end of apartheid in 1994.
According to the president, South Africa continues to allow refugees to live within communities rather than confinement in camps, while also granting access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
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Ramaphosa noted that African visitors accounted for more than eight million of South Africa’s 10.5 million tourist arrivals last year, adding that the country continued to invest in academic, cultural and institutional cooperation across the continent.
He said migration pressures were not unique to South Africa and called for stronger cooperation among African countries and the international community in addressing undocumented migration.
“Like every other country in the world, we will continue asserting our sovereign right to regulate migration, secure our borders and enforce our laws,” Ramaphosa said.
“We must make it clear that there is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance or violence.”
Reacting to the statement, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa publicly welcomed Ramaphosa’s position and called for stronger African unity.
“This is reassuring, President Cyril Ramaphosa. We count on your leadership to resolve this,” Ablakwa wrote in a social media post.
“Ghana deeply values the longstanding great and inspiring bilateral relations defined by true solidarity and brotherhood with South Africa. I unrepentantly share in Kwame Nkrumah’s dream – Africa Shall UNITE,” he added, referencing Kwame Nkrumah’s Pan-African vision.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
