Ramaphosa vows arrests as police probe violence against African foreign nationals

President Cyril Ramaphosa told Parliament that police and security agencies are gathering reports and evidence against people alleged to have instigated violence targeting African foreign nationals, and warned that arrests and charges will follow.

Answering questions in Parliament

Ramaphosa was responding to oral questions from MPs on Tuesday when he addressed concerns raised by EFF leader Julius Malema about why those allegedly behind the violence had not been arrested and prosecuted.

Malema’s accusation

Malema said perpetrators had carried out violence against African immigrants “in the presence of police without being arrested, saying this created the impression that the violence was state-sanctioned.” He added:

“The level of violence perpetrated against African foreign nationals in this country over the past few months has a face. We know who the investigators, the instigators and the perpetrators of this act are.”

Malema also said

“What’s worse is that the two of them came to meet you. You should have locked them up that day when they came to meet you.”

Police gathering evidence, arrests already made

Ramaphosa said the matter was being processed by the police and other security agencies, which “are following all that up. They are getting all the reports and evidence.” He told MPs that a number of people had already been arrested, and that those identified as leading the actions were of direct interest to police.

On the consequences for incidents that resulted in harm, Ramaphosa said:

“And the number of cases where, for instance, incidents of violence have even resulted in injury, or even death, we are going to be following all that up and ensuring indeed that those who have perpetrated those acts are followed up.”

He added:

“And there will be arrests, and there will be charges that will be prepared against those who have done so.”

Ramaphosa said the police and the prosecuting authority would continue to pursue the matter.

Government stance and regional engagement

Ramaphosa said the government was concerned about the violence and that “those who violate the law, those who transgress various precepts of our laws, need to be dealt with.”

He rejected suggestions that South Africa was isolated on the continent, saying the country remained “a respected member of the African community of nations and a principled Pan-African actor.” He said the government had publicly rejected “xenophobia, afrophobia, vigilantism, and all forms of discrimination against people from other countries.”

Ramaphosa said South Africa had briefed regional leaders at the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit and that the summit called for “a coordinated and multi-dimensional dialogue at the regional level” to address drivers of migration and develop comprehensive responses.

Policy measures cited

He pointed to measures intended to improve migration management, including strengthening border management, addressing corruption within the immigration system, improving legal migration pathways and implementing the White Paper on Citizenship, Migration and Refugee Protection.