South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the recent xenophobic violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
Cyril has condemned the attacks, emphasizing that the violent attacks do not reflect South African government policy or public values.
His condemnation followed the recent waves of anti-immigrant protests and tensions in major cities, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and parts of KwaZulu- Natal.
In his statement dated May 11, the South African president explained that the xenophobic attacks were acts of opportunists who were exploiting the legitimate grievances under the disguise of community activism.
“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. These are the acts of opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of people with low incomes, under the false guise of ‘community activism,’ part of his statement read.
Further, the president noted that some of those instigating violence are assuming functions that are only permitted to be executed by state officials.
According to Ramaphosa, the people behind the violent attacks are conducting unlawful identification searches as well as searches on private property.
The president has termed such attacks lawlessness that will not be tolerated by the South African government, which will take action against all parties involved, regardless of who the victims or perpetrators are.
Following the xenophobic attacks, several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Malawi, have issued travel warnings to their citizens and called for AU interventions.
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Effects of Illegal Migration
Ramaphosa has noted that illegal cross-border activities in South Africa have become a risk to social stability, governance, and national security.
Further undocumented migrations are straining the healthcare, housing, and municipal services, particularly in the poor communities, according to the president.
In addition, labor markets in South Africa have been distorted as unemployment levels increase due to the preference of employers in hiring cheap, undocumented foreign labor.
Moreover, the changes in the labor market are said to cause social tension between the South African citizens and the foreign nationals.
Ramaphosa’s Action to Curb Violence in South Africa
To address the ongoing issues of violent protest and criminal acts in South Africa aimed at foreign nationals, the president has stated that illegal migration will be curbed, but within a legal framework.
Further, the government will balance constitutional and international obligations with the need to safeguard national security to tackle illegal migration.
In addition, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the Defense Force are set to strengthen border security in South Africa.
BMA, in coordination with the South African Defense Forces, will be responsible for ensuring that the country does not experience illicit cross-border activities.
Despite the need to strengthen cross-border activities, Ramaphosa commended the BMA for successfully intercepting over 450,000 illegal migrants in the past financial year.
He, however, noted that reforms to the migration and South African citizenship frameworks will be implemented to improve effectiveness in the future.
Undocumented foreign nationals who have been hired in South Africa will face workplace enforcement for having obtained jobs in violation of the country’s labor and migration laws.
According to Ramaphosa, an announcement has been made in the State of the Nation Address on the hiring of up to 10,000 inspectors through the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure that Labor and immigration laws are adhered to.
He further noted that the arrest and deportation of undocumented foreign nationals are ongoing with strict observation of the South African law.
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Presidential Advice to the South African Public
The South African government has called upon the South Africans who are collaborating with foreign nationals in fake marriages, illegal sale of state subsidies, and bribes to stop, as they are deepening the crisis immediately.
Furthermore, the president argued that most South Africans who exploit undocumented laborers in the household and informal sectors were contributing to the weakening of the country.
South Africans have been urged to maintain the country’s positive reputation and not undermine its democracy and solidarity.
