Ramaphosa urges calm, says most foreign nationals in South Africa are not criminals

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to remain calm and uphold the Constitution as the government moves to tighten immigration controls and tackle corruption linked to illegal migration.

Central message and immediate steps

In a weekly newsletter published on Monday, following a national address on Sunday, Ramaphosa acknowledged rising public concern about border security and enforcement and outlined steps the government will take as part of a “comprehensive approach for migration management” adopted by Cabinet.

He said the government will strengthen border controls, crack down on corruption and introduce new legislation to regulate foreign worker quotas and ensure informal businesses are properly registered. He added the state will deploy more resources and technology to secure our borders and improve the efficiency of the immigration system.

On crime and foreign nationals

Ramaphosa addressed a widely held perception linking illegal immigration with crime, saying that while organised criminal groups exploit weaknesses in the immigration system, the overwhelming majority of foreign nationals in South Africa have no involvement in crime.

“Some people associate illegal immigration with crime. While there are organised syndicates that exploit weaknesses in our immigration system to commit crimes like drug trafficking, illegal mining and extortion, the overwhelming majority of foreign nationals in South Africa have no involvement in crime.”

He also said official statistics show foreign nationals account for a small proportion of public service users, addressing public worries about pressure on clinics, hospitals and schools.

Rising tensions and public response

Ramaphosa noted that tensions have increased in parts of the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, with protests targeting undocumented migrants and reports that some undocumented foreign nationals have begun leaving the country amid the unrest.

An anti-immigrant group, March and March, has called for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa by June 30 and is demanding stricter visa rules, a review of asylum policies, action against businesses employing undocumented workers, accountability for corrupt police officers, and restrictions on public services for undocumented migrants.

Rule of law and social cohesion

Ramaphosa stressed that managing migration is a collective task but that enforcement must remain with authorised officials. He warned against vigilantism, violence, misinformation and xenophobia, and urged communities to support social cohesion.

“The task of managing migration belongs to all of us… That does not mean that communities should take the law into their own hands – only authorised officials of the state may enforce our immigration laws – but there is a role for all South Africans in upholding our laws and building social cohesion.”

He added:

“We must actively work against efforts to divide us. We must confront racism, sexism, xenophobia and Afrophobia. Our goal must be to build united and cohesive communities where all laws are respected and upheld.”

Political reactions and next steps

Opposition parties gave mixed responses: ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba criticised the address as repeating “failed and tired talking points” and called for stronger enforcement and deportations, while Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the tone and said law enforcement should remain the responsibility of the state rather than vigilante groups.

Ramaphosa said the government will also work with regional and continental partners to address the economic hardship and instability that drive migration, and that corruption within the system will be tackled as part of enforcement measures.