Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called out campaigns that seek to spread misinformation and sow discord as government intensifies efforts to tackle illegal immigration and strengthen migration management. Addressing the nation on Sunday, the President acknowledged growing public concerns about migration, pressure on public services, jobs, safety, and the rule of law, saying these concerns are real and deserve to be addressed.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa emphasized that South Africans are not xenophobic and stressed that there is no place for xenophobia, racism, sexism, Afrophobia, or any other form of intolerance in the country. He warned that some groups are attempting to exploit concerns about illegal immigration to incite lawlessness and violence, while others spread misinformation and falsehoods through social media campaigns. The President assured that the government would act against those seeking to destabilize the country for political, personal, or criminal gain.
President Ramaphosa stated that South Africa has the right to enforce its immigration laws and prevent irregular migration, noting that the responsibility of enforcing those laws rests with the State alone. He emphasized that no other person is allowed to confront someone in the street to demand proof of nationality. South Africa remains committed to protecting the human rights of all people in the country, whether citizens or foreign nationals, and to honoring its international obligations.
The President urged communities to work together to address illegal immigration in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and international obligations, without resorting to intimidation, victimization, or violence. He reiterated the need for respect for South Africa's immigration laws, expecting foreign nationals to respect the laws and stressing that illegal migration, if unchecked, poses a risk to South Africa's security, stability, and economic progress.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged that illegal migration affects service delivery and places additional burdens on essential services such as health care and education. He highlighted the role illegal migration can play in organized crime, noting that criminal syndicates involved in trafficking, extortion, illegal mining, drugs, and money laundering often use undocumented migration for recruitment and concealment of goods.
As the government rolls out its new migration management measures, the President said authorities would not allow anyone to use the issue of illegal immigration to undermine public safety or destabilize the country. He emphasized that South Africa can address the challenge of illegal immigration while remaining true to its constitutional values and the spirit of Ubuntu, calling on citizens to uphold human dignity, respect the law, and build a country that is secure, lawful, compassionate, and prosperous.
