President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged Sunday to address growing concerns over illegal migration, acknowledging heightened xenophobic protests and public sentiment in South Africa. The government emphasized that authorities would not permit vigilante actions while confirming deportation of over 100,000 individuals in the past two years.
The president’s remarks followed a surge in anti-immigrant demonstrations, with some groups demanding foreign nationals leave by June 30. He highlighted “legitimate questions” from citizens regarding economic pressures but stressed that only government officials could enforce legal measures.
South Africa’s history of violence linked to migration, including the 2008 xenophobic attacks that killed over 60 people, underscores the urgency of the issue. While estimates suggest 2-5 million migrants reside illegally in the country, Ramaphosa noted “weaknesses” in past migration management and vowed decisive action.
The government has repatriated citizens from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mozambique after reports of threats. Recent incidents in Mossel Bay, where five Mozambican citizens were killed in suspected xenophobic attacks, further fueled calls for stricter controls. Ramaphosa called for unity, warning against communal blame while reaffirming border security measures that halted 450,000 unauthorized entries in the last year.