Ramaphosa pledges to clamp down on illegal migration amid xenophobic protests

By Nkiruka Nnorom

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a comprehensive crackdown on illegal migration, stating that Pretoria will not tolerate lawlessness amid widespread xenophobic protests against foreign nationals across the country. In a live national address, Ramaphosa outlined new measures to secure borders, deport undocumented migrants, and penalise employers who hire them.

“We must end illegal migration. We reject the notion that we must tolerate it. We can enforce our laws, secure our communities and overcome this problem,” he said.

The speech followed weeks of attacks and protests targeting foreigners, with some groups issuing a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave, accusing them of taking jobs from South Africans. Ramaphosa urged citizens not to turn against foreign nationals or each other, insisting that the country must “overcome the challenges through peace and love, not through fear, anger or violence.”

“Illegal migration is a serious threat to security and stability in South Africa. We know that illegal migration undermines our efforts to create decent jobs for our people,” he added. He blamed employers who hire undocumented migrants for exploiting them and paying lower wages.

To address the situation, Ramaphosa announced a range of measures, including a crackdown on illegal employment, deportation of undocumented migrants, the establishment of specialised courts to handle deportation cases, increased inspections by the Department of Home Affairs of employers who hire undocumented workers, stiffer penalties—such as jail terms—for those found guilty, and the strengthening of the immigration system with technology to curb corruption among public officials.

Other initiatives include expanding biometric screening at international airports and other busy ports, introducing a digital registration system and discontinuing the green ID book to prevent identity theft, implementing new registration requirements for the transport sector to end abuse of traffic registration numbers, and deploying envoys to engage neighbouring countries on migration issues.

“We will work with other countries to address migration together. South Africa cannot address migration alone,” Ramaphosa said. He emphasized that South Africa’s future is linked to the African continent and that migration pressures cannot be resolved through violence.

“Law enforcement agencies are ready to act to maintain law and order and safeguard public property,” he said. Ramaphosa added that the new measures would also help South Africa attract global talent and investment. He noted that many South Africans travel abroad to study and work, saying migration is a global reality. “South Africa is a better country for migration, but it must be legal and orderly,” he concluded.

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