‘No place in South Africa for xenophobia, Ramaphosa says, urges calm, rule of law

Africa

PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to uphold the rule of law as the government intensifies efforts to address illegal migration and rising tensions over undocumented immigrants.

In his weekly newsletter on Monday, May 11, 2026, the President condemned the recent wave of violent demonstrations targeting foreign nationals across major cities, describing them as the work of “opportunists exploiting legitimate grievances under the false guise of community activism.” He warned that acts of vigilantism, including stopping people to check identification or conducting property searches, would not be tolerated.

Ramaphosa acknowledged that illegal migration poses serious challenges to social stability, governance, and national security, stressing that the issue must be tackled “decisively and within the law.” He noted that undocumented migration places pressure on healthcare, housing, and municipal services, particularly in poor communities, while distorting the labour market. “In a country with high unemployment, some employers exploit undocumented, cheaper foreign labour, undermining our labour protection regime and eroding workers’ rights,” he said.

The President urged a whole-of-society approach, involving government, the private sector, and citizens, to address the problem. He criticised South Africans who collude with undocumented migrants in fake marriages, illegal housing sales, or bribery schemes, saying such actions deepen the crisis.

Ramaphosa commended the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Defence Force for strengthening border security, revealing that the BMA intercepted about 450,000 people attempting to cross into South Africa illegally in the past financial year. He reaffirmed plans to hire 10,000 labour inspectors to enforce immigration and employment laws and pledged continued deportation of undocumented migrants in accordance with the law.

Responding to continental concerns over the protests, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to reject xenophobia and protect the country’s reputation for African solidarity and human rights. He highlighted South Africa’s refugee protection framework, which integrates displaced persons into communities and grants access to healthcare and education.

“Our commitment to African integration and solidarity should not be undermined by isolated acts of criminality,” he said, adding that South Africa, like other nations, will exercise its sovereign right to regulate migration and secure its borders.

Ramaphosa concluded with a firm message: “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 they are respected and upheld.”