The South African government has condemned recent violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in some parts of the country, saying such acti...
The South African government has condemned recent violent protests and criminal acts targeting foreign nationals in some parts of the country, saying such actions do not represent the views of the people or government policy.
In a national message addressed to citizens, the government said the incidents were being driven by opportunists who were taking advantage of the frustrations of poor communities while pretending to act in the interest of local residents. Authorities warned that some individuals had unlawfully assumed responsibilities reserved for state officials, including stopping people to check identification documents and searching private property.
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The government stated that such acts were illegal and would not be tolerated regardless of who was involved.
At the same time, the government acknowledged growing concerns around undocumented migration, saying illegal immigration continued to place pressure on healthcare, housing and municipal services, particularly in poorer communities across the country.
Authorities also raised concerns about the impact of undocumented migration on the labour market. The government said some employers were hiring undocumented foreign nationals at lower wages instead of employing South African citizens under legal labour conditions.
According to the statement, this practice was contributing to rising social tensions while weakening labour protections and workers’ rights that had been secured over many years.
The government said it remained committed to balancing its constitutional and international obligations with the need to safeguard national security and maintain social stability.
To strengthen border security, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the South African Defence Force are increasing efforts to combat illegal cross-border activity. The government commended the BMA for intercepting approximately 450,000 people attempting to enter South Africa illegally during the past financial year.
Authorities said reforms to the country’s migration and citizenship systems were also continuing as part of broader efforts to improve immigration management.
The government further announced that workplace enforcement operations against employers hiring undocumented foreign nationals illegally would be intensified. In the State of the Nation Address, authorities revealed plans to employ up to 10,000 inspectors through the Department of Labour and Employment to ensure compliance with labour and immigration laws.
The statement also noted that undocumented foreign nationals continued to be arrested and deported in accordance with the law while government agencies intensified efforts to fight corruption within the immigration system.
Government officials stressed that undocumented migration was a challenge requiring cooperation between both the public and private sectors. Concerns were raised about South African citizens who facilitate illegal activities through fake marriages, illegal sales of state-subsidised housing and bribery involving access to public services.
The government said some citizens were also contributing to the problem by employing undocumented workers in households and informal businesses.
South Africa also reaffirmed its commitment to African unity, regional cooperation and human rights. Authorities warned against actions that could damage the country’s international reputation or weaken long-standing relations with other African nations.
Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has promoted African integration, solidarity and refugee protection. The government noted that refugees in South Africa are allowed to live within communities, participate in the economy and access healthcare and education services instead of being confined to refugee camps.
The statement highlighted South Africa’s role in regional integration, noting that visitors from African countries accounted for more than 8 million of the country’s 10.5 million tourist arrivals last year.
Government also pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen academic, cultural and institutional ties across the continent through educational exchange programmes and hosting continental bodies such as the Pan-African Parliament.
Authorities said isolated criminal acts should not be allowed to undermine South Africa’s commitment to African cooperation and solidarity.
The government acknowledged that migration-related tensions were not unique to South Africa, saying many countries around the world were facing similar challenges linked to undocumented migration.
Officials called for cooperation, understanding and dialogue among African countries and the international community while maintaining that South Africa would continue exercising its sovereign right to regulate migration, secure its borders and enforce its laws.
The government concluded by stating that there was no place in South Africa for xenophobia, ethnic mobilisation, intolerance or violence, adding that all people living in the country were equally bound by the law regardless of nationality.
