South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, 11 May urged both citizens and foreign nationals to respect the rule of law as his government intensifies efforts to address illegal migration. Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa condemned recent violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in parts of the country, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated.

Ramaphosa's Key Message

The President drew a sharp distinction between legitimate public concern over undocumented migration and the vigilante conduct seen in recent weeks. He described those involved in the violence as "opportunists who are exploiting the legitimate grievances, particularly those of the poor, under the false guise of 'community activism."

Ramaphosa specifically flagged incidents in which individuals were unlawfully checking identification documents and searching private property — duties reserved exclusively for state authorities. "Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, regardless of who the perpetrators or victims are," he said.

Anti-Migration Protests Across Major Cities

From late April, anti-illegal migration marches have swept through several South African cities, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Some groups have demanded that undocumented migrants leave the country, with a handful of incidents descending into violence and property searches by private individuals.

Notably, this is not the first time South Africa has faced such tensions. The country has a documented history of xenophobic violence, including major episodes in 2008 and 2019, making the current crackdown politically sensitive both domestically and across the African continent.

Government Acknowledges Migration Pressures

Ramaphosa acknowledged that undocumented migration places real strain on public services — including healthcare, housing, and municipal infrastructure — particularly in poorer communities. He also noted that some employers exploit undocumented migrants by paying wages below legal standards, a practice he said fuels tensions with local communities.

"In tackling illegal migration, we are balancing our constitutional and international obligations with safeguarding national security," the President said. "Our demonstrated commitment to deepening African integration and solidarity should not be undermined by isolated acts of criminality."

Diplomatic Fallout and African Union Scrutiny

South Africa on Friday rejected accusations that the country is xenophobic, describing recent incidents as isolated while reaffirming its openness to diplomatic engagement with African nations on migration issues. The statement came after Ghana requested that the African Union debate the matter at the upcoming African Union Mid-Year Coordination Summit in June, describing the incidents as "xenophobic attacks" against African nationals.

Ramaphosa was unequivocal in his closing position: "We must make it clear that there is no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance, or violence." With the AU summit approaching, Pretoria faces growing pressure to demonstrate that its crackdown on illegal migration does not come at the cost of its pan-African commitments.