Ramathuba: Do not target dark-skinned South Africans amid anti-immigration protests

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has warned that people must not be singled out or targeted because of their skin complexion or the language they speak during anti-illegal immigration protests.

Clear call against profiling

Speaking after criticism over remarks she made at an anti-illegal immigration march on Friday, July 10, Ramathuba said undocumented immigrants must comply with South African law, but that targeting people based on appearance or language would not be tolerated in Limpopo.

What she said

In an interview with a public broadcaster, Ramathuba reiterated the principle that “everyone in the country, whether in Limpopo or anywhere else, must follow the laws of South Africa. You have to be documented.”

She also said reports had emerged of protesters singling out people because of how they look or the language they speak. Ramathuba described the reports this way:

“We have noted that during these March and March protests, in some instances people are being targeted based on their skin complexion and their language. The majority of those people, unfortunately, originate from Limpopo.”

She added:

“Because if you are Venda-speaking or Pedi-speaking and you are dark-skinned, and you are asked to speak in certain languages but cannot pronounce the words correctly, I have received many reports that those individuals are being targeted.”

Province will not tolerate removals based on appearance

Ramathuba said such behaviour would not be permitted in Limpopo and warned against moving from household to household removing people on the basis of skin colour or language. “We’re also saying you can’t be moving from one household to another, removing people based on their skin complexion or the language they speak,” she said.

On immigration enforcement

The premier said her government had raised concerns about undocumented immigrants before the issue became widely publicised and noted national steps taken on the matter. She said the president had “appointed the IMC (Inter-Ministerial Committee), and we are seeing work being done.”

Ramathuba pointed to progress including strengthened border management, cooperation with police, raids where necessary and arrests of drug lords: “Police are working with us as the provincial government, raids are being conducted where necessary, and drug lords are being arrested.”

Context: ongoing protests

Her remarks come as anti-illegal immigration marches continue across the country, with protesters demanding that undocumented foreign nationals leave South Africa. The March and March movement has said it will intensify its nationwide Thursday protests until its demands are met.

Ramathuba said she would not allow South African citizens to be profiled because of their appearance or language: “

We welcome all those who made it possible for us to be where we are today. But we cannot allow a situation where, because I am a Limpopo-born citizen and dark-skinned, I cannot be allowed to visit any province. That we cannot allow

“