Ramaphosa warns: No more ‘fake marriages’ or lawlessness
PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning against vigilante groups and “opportunists” targeting foreign nationals, asserting that the state will not tolerate citizens assuming police functions.
In his weekly newsletter published on Monday, the President addressed the recent wave of violent protests and criminal acts directed at undocumented immigrants in several major South African cities. He described these incidents as the work of individuals exploiting legitimate social grievances under the guise of community activism.
“Some of these people are assuming functions that only state officials are permitted to perform, including stopping people to check identification and conducting searches of private property,” Ramaphosa stated. He emphasised that such lawlessness would be met with the full force of the law, regardless of the perpetrators involved.
While condemning the violence, the President acknowledged that illegal migration poses a significant risk to South Africa’s social stability and national security. He noted that undocumented migration places an immense strain on municipal services, healthcare, and housing, particularly within the country’s poorest communities.
The President further highlighted the distortion of the labour market, accusing some employers of exploiting undocumented foreign labour to avoid paying legal wages. He warned that this practice is actively undermining the country’s labour protection regime and fuel social tensions in a nation struggling with high unemployment.
To combat these challenges, the government has announced the recruitment of 10,000 inspectors through the Department of Labour and Employment. These officials will be tasked with ensuring adherence to immigration and labour laws, specifically targeting workplaces that hire undocumented workers.
Ramaphosa also called out South African citizens who facilitate illegal migration through “fake marriages,” the illegal sale of state houses, or by accepting bribes. He noted that the Border Management Authority (BMA) has already intercepted approximately 450,000 people attempting to enter the country illegally over the past financial year.
The Presidency maintains that while South Africa will exercise its sovereign right to secure its borders, it must remain committed to its international obligations and the culture of human rights established since 1994.
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