South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for respect for the rule of law, emphasizing the need for both citizens and foreign nationals to adhere to legal norms as the government tackles illegal migration. He denounced recent violent protests and criminal acts against foreigners, attributing them to opportunists exploiting genuine grievances under the guise of activism. Ramaphosa warned against unlawful activities like unauthorized document checks and property searches, stressing a zero-tolerance approach to such lawlessness.
Anti-illegal migration demonstrations have been occurring in various South African cities since late April, with demands for undocumented migrants to leave. Ramaphosa recognized the strain caused by undocumented migration on public services like healthcare and housing, especially in impoverished areas. He highlighted the issue of employers exploiting undocumented migrants by paying substandard wages, leading to tensions within local communities.
The President emphasized the delicate balance between upholding constitutional and international responsibilities while ensuring national security in addressing illegal migration. He reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to African integration and solidarity, cautioning against criminal acts that could undermine these efforts. Ramaphosa reiterated the country’s stance against xenophobia, ethnic mobilization, intolerance, or violence, stating that such behaviors have no place in South Africa.
South Africa rejected claims of xenophobia, characterizing recent incidents involving foreign nationals as isolated and expressing readiness for diplomatic discussions with African nations on migration matters. Ghana’s request for the African Union to address alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa at the upcoming summit was noted, with South Africa emphasizing its openness to engage in dialogue on migration issues.
