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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a torchlight address to the nation, said the country has no objection to illegal migration following a series of protests against foreign nationals.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation as part of the government's approach to address recent increased protests against illegal migration and foreign nationals in South Africa.
During a live address on Sunday June 7, 2026, Ramaphosa said De Contre has taken various measures to curb illegal migration to South Africa.
“We must end illegal migration, we must tackle the challenges. We reject the notion that we must tolerate illegal migration. We can enforce our laws, we can secure our communities. We can overcome the problem of illegal migration.”
Some foreigners face severe harassment as some group of South Africans claim that foreign nationals who are undocumented have been given a June 30, 2026 deadline for illegal immigrants.
They claim that foreign nationals are taking jobs there.
However, Ramohosa says South Africans should 'not take any action against foreign nationals and every ODA, as they overcome challenges through peace and love, not through fear, anger or violence'.
The South African leader said during the 2026 National Independence Day celebrations in Bloemfontein on Monday, April 27 that legitimate concerns about illegal migration lead to hatred towards fellow Africans.
He says that although South Africans are concerned about undocumented and illegal immigrants for de Contre, their concerns are not allowed to lead to xenophobia.
Highlights of President Ramaphosa's address to me
'Illegal migration is not the cause of all our economic challenges'
President Ramaphosa says South Africa faces serious challenges, but it is not caused by illegal migration.
He says most families in the country are facing poverty and struggling to make ends meet, and the government is working on dosage issues.
“We know that migration is a global issue, it affects many countries around the world, our countries are like many events throughout history that are the product of migration.
“Yet we must recognize that illegal immigration is not the cause of all our economic challenges.”
Ramaphosa says some of South Africa's problems include faster economic growth, more investment, industrial expansion, infrastructure development and the creation of millions of new jobs.
Although he says that 'responsibility for enforcing immigration laws rests in the hands of De Conti and for De Conti alone', that does not mean that some Pipo De's should be taken advantage of.
In terms of employment, Ramaphosa says that young people who could not find jobs struggled to get higher level jobs.
E says some issues can lead to direct frustration at being seen as competitors for jobs and resources.
'We got laws for South Africa' – Ramaphosa
President Ramaphosa says South Africa should have laws and anyone who wants to follow the law will follow the law.
“We accept the pipes from our office at our office. In our office, we get the law on who fits into our area, what they do and what work they do.”
He said any foreigner wishing to work in South Africa must obtain a permit, including business owners.
“Anyone working for our Conti Gatz is legally allowed, if there is no business, you should be allowed, but the problem is that some Pipo Anta di Conti can be said to be illegal.
Ramaphosa has mentioned that he faced problems due to immigrants arriving illegally and being undocumented.
The President acknowledged that there are indeed some shortcomings to the South African system, including unemployment, a poor border system and migration issues.
He says that South Africans have the right to demand better welfare and a better life and that the government will take steps to give them that right.
“There are shortcomings in our system, South Africans deserve to expect better and we will take corrective measures to address them. The government will take action to address violations of immigration laws.”
'South Africans are not xenophobic' – Ramaphosa
On top of being accused of continuing xenophobic attacks towards South Africa, President Ramaphosa rejected that allegation, saying it would not happen.
As for me, I say that South Africans are not xenophobic and di pipo no allow some bad groups to take advantage of the situation in the country.
“South Africa is not xenophobic, just as South Africans are not xenophobic and we are not racist. We should not allow groups to use anarchist acts.”
Ramaphosa says he will not fall prey to social media campaigns that spread threats.
He says that any foreign citizen who wants to live in South Africa should respect the laws and policies there, and he will also strengthen the immigration laws there.
“Illegal migration poses a serious threat to the security and stability of South Africa. We know that illegal migration can hinder our efforts to create good jobs for our Pipo.”
Ramaphosa says part of the problem is that some employers hire illegal immigrants because they can pay them small amounts of money to exploit them.
I say that the government will now strengthen immigration laws and policies. As they say, 'Also include Sister Countris to further strengthen cooperation for migration issues.'
Measures to address illegal migration in South Africa
During his state of the nation address, Ramaphosa laid out some measures to address illegal migration into the country.
Ramaphosa says they should secure Dia borders because 'secure borders are not hostile towards ODA contras'
We say that we have taken measures to close the loopholes that undocumented immigrants are taking advantage of.
Ramaphosa said South Africa would introduce some measures to address migration to the country:
- To crack down on illegal workers, first, we will deport illegal immigrants living in South Africa.
- We are going to set up courts to deal with deportations, the Home Office is increasing inspections to target employers that employ illegal immigrants.
- We will increase penalties for employers who hire undocumented illegal immigrants, including prison sentences.
- We are going to strengthen our immigration system with technology, stop illegal immigration supported by corruption by public office holders, and make those responsible for them face the law.
- Expand biometrics to international airports and ODA busy ports
- We are going to set up the register with digital registration. We shut down the Green ID Book registrar, which is used for identity theft.
- We issue new registration for transport and end misuse of transport registration numbers
- I send emissaries to Sister Contrese on the issues we raise and deal with migration issues.
“We are going to work together with ODA countries to address the issue of migration. South Africa is not suited to address migration alone.”
“South Africa's future is inseparable from our African continent and the suppression of migration cannot be achieved through violence.”
According to Ramaphosa, he says that I want South Africa to be a free country for business, but he will deal with the issue of illegal migration and will not allow anyone to take advantage of the country's problems.
“Law enforcement agencies are ready to act to maintain law and order and protect public properties.”
Ramaphosa says the new measures and rules will allow him to attract global talent and investments.
“Our Pipo also travels abroad to learn and study, migration is the way to the world, embrace me. South Africa is a better choice for migration.