EFF urges Ramaphosa to act against ministers accused of fuelling anti-foreigner sentiment

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against Cabinet members it says are promoting hostility towards foreign nationals. The demand followed the president’s national address on migration and border management.

EFF says message lacks credibility while ministers stoke xenophobia

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, outlining the government’s approach to illegal immigration, border control, corruption in the immigration system and tighter immigration laws. In that address he said the government would “crack down on the violation of our immigration, labour and other laws,” “prevent people from entering the country irregularly and illegally,” “stamp out corruption in our immigration system” and “strengthen our immigration laws and policies.”

The EFF argued the government’s message is undermined by senior political figures it alleges are fuelling hostility towards foreign nationals.

“The President might as well be guilty of what he has called to try to explain. Because, in his Cabinet, he harbours xenophobes, he harbours Afrophobes who are known to have embarked prior to elections and now on what is called Abahambe, a brigade that is made out of former convicts. Now we are calling on the President to act against those ministers who continue to fan these fires of hatred and act against Minister Gayton McKenzie,”

Those remarks were made by EFF Member of Parliament Sam Matiase.

Calls for enforcement, not just promises

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) also responded to the president’s focus on immigration enforcement. MK Party Chief Whip Philasande Mkhize said South Africa already has immigration laws but enforcement is the issue, and urged the government to move beyond promises.

Mkhize said:

“South Africa has immigration laws. The problem we’re faced with is them not being enforced properly to benefit South Africans. The President talks about strengthening them. People of South Africa just need the President and the government of South Africa to fight for them, to be in control. Regarding our borders, people just do as they please.”

Planned national shutdown and government stance

Anti-migrant organisations are preparing a nationwide shutdown on 30 June, citing concerns about undocumented foreign nationals taking jobs and straining public services. Ramaphosa reiterated that government is committed to managing migration “in a lawful and orderly manner” while protecting borders and addressing weaknesses in the immigration system.

Reporting for this piece is based on the president’s address and statements from the EFF and MK Party.