‘Don’t Be Manipulated’: South Africa’s President Ramaphosa Warns Against Forces Fueling Immigration Unrest
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that South Africans’ concerns over illegal immigration are legitimate but warned that certain groups are exploiting those frustrations to advance political, personal, and criminal agendas, as government unveiled a comprehensive strategy to strengthen immigration enforcement and border management.
In a nationally televised address on Sunday evening, the President said many South Africans are genuinely worried about unemployment, pressure on public services, crime, and the rule of law, insisting that these concerns “deserve to be heard and addressed” rather than dismissed. He noted that widespread economic hardship has intensified public frustration over migration issues but cautioned against attributing all of the country’s challenges to illegal immigration.
Ramaphosa warned that while citizens have legitimate grievances, some organisations and individuals are manipulating those sentiments to destabilise the country.
“We will and must not allow groups to use the legitimate concerns of South Africans to destabilise our country through inciting lawlessness and violence,” the President declared.
He further pledged that government would act decisively against “forces who are exploiting the concerns of our people about illegal immigration to further their own political, personal and criminal agendas,” while also condemning misinformation campaigns and inflammatory rhetoric circulating on social media.
Rejecting xenophobia and discrimination, Ramaphosa stressed that South Africans should not take immigration enforcement into their own hands. He said only authorised government officials have the legal mandate to enforce immigration laws and warned against vigilante actions such as demanding identification documents from individuals in public spaces.
At the same time, the President acknowledged weaknesses within the state’s immigration management systems, including inadequate enforcement and corruption, admitting that these failures have undermined public confidence.
“We accept that responsibility and we are taking decisive action to correct these shortcomings,” he said, promising a more effective and professional immigration enforcement regime.
The address outlined a five-pronged government strategy aimed at restoring control over migration. Measures include intensified deportation operations, tougher penalties for employers who hire undocumented workers, stronger border security, the introduction of dedicated immigration courts, anti-corruption initiatives within the Department of Home Affairs, and legislative reforms to close loopholes in existing immigration laws.
Among the notable announcements was the phased relocation of refugee reception centres closer to border posts, the establishment of a biometric population register leading to a national digital identity system, and the eventual discontinuation of South Africa’s green identity books, which government says have been vulnerable to fraud and abuse.
Ramaphosa also revealed that Cabinet has approved a National Labour Migration Policy that will introduce employment quotas for documented foreign nationals in certain sectors while increasing sanctions against businesses employing undocumented migrants. Government will simultaneously strengthen support for South African-owned informal enterprises through targeted programmes and registration reforms.
While emphasising the need for stricter enforcement, the President reaffirmed South Africa’s constitutional commitment to human dignity and international obligations toward refugees and asylum seekers. He argued that migration is a global phenomenon that has contributed to South Africa’s diversity and development, but insisted that it must occur within the framework of the law.
Closing his address, Ramaphosa called for unity rather than hostility, saying the country must reject fear, hatred, and violence while confronting illegal immigration through lawful means.
“We can protect our borders while protecting human dignity. We can enforce our laws while upholding our Constitution. We can secure our communities while preserving the values of Ubuntu that define us as a people,” he said, urging South Africans to tackle the migration challenge with determination, compassion, and respect for the rule of law.
