South Africa’s president acknowledges rising tensions over migration
Ramaphosa said 450,000 people were stopped at the border last year as the government moves to tighten enforcement and speed deportations.
- On Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a five-point crackdown on illegal migration, condemning vigilante violence and warning that only state officials may enforce immigration laws.
- Escalating anti-migrant protests and violence, including reported deaths in Mossel Bay, have intensified regional tensions as groups issued a June 30 ultimatum for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa.
- Ramaphosa's strategy includes hiring 10,000 labor inspectors and implementing biometric digital IDs to prevent identity theft, while establishing dedicated courts to accelerate deportations of those residing illegally.
- Ghana, Nigeria, and Mozambique are organizing evacuations for their citizens, with Ghana petitioning the African Union over losses suffered by nationals during the unrest.
- The administration aims to balance border security with constitutional values while authorities investigate criminal syndicates exploiting undocumented migration routes for trafficking, extortion, and illegal mining.
73 Articles
73 Articles
Ramaphosa vows migrant crackdown amid rising xenophobia
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans to crack down on undocumented migrants in an attempt to appease public anger after weeks of xenophobic violence. Yet his remarks came just days after he sent envoys across Africa to patch up strained diplomatic ties over the attacks on foreigners, pointing to his tricky balancing act between domestic politics and foreign relations.In a televised speech, Ramaphosa said Pretoria was finalizing plans to lim…
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced several measures to combat illegal immigration, warning that South Africa will take tough action against groups behind xenophobic violence.
Riots, evacuations and trade threats: How South Africa's migrant crisis went regional
South Africa is at a familiar and dangerous crossroads. Anti-immigrant sentiment — at its highest since 2008, when 60 people died and 50,000 were displaced in xenophobic attacks — has exploded into street protests, with activists demanding all undocumented foreigners leave by June 30. President Ramaphosa responded with a televised address promising deportations, border controls and penalties for businesses employing illegal migrants. But the cri…
South Africa's President Ramaphosa moves to diffuse anti-immigrant tensions in TV address
South Africa's president promised Sunday to act on what he called concerns over illegal migration following a rise in anti-immigrant protests and sentiment in Africa's most advanced economy, with other nations claiming their citizens have been targeted in xenophobic attacks.
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