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Dear fellow South Africans,
The recent violent protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals in some parts of our country do not represent the views of the South African people nor the policy of our Government.
These are the actions of opportunists who are taking advantage of legitimate grievances, especially those of the poor, under the false guise of 'community activism'. Some of these people are doing things that only state officials are allowed to do, including stopping people, checking identification, and searching private property. Such lawlessness will not be tolerated, no matter who the perpetrators or victims are.
At the same time, as a society, we need to deal decisively – and within the law – with the challenge of illegal immigration, which threatens our social stability, governance and national security. Undocumented migration puts pressure on health care, housing, and municipal services, especially in poor communities.
This distorts the labor market. In a country with high unemployment, some employers are exploiting undocumented, cheap foreign labor instead of hiring citizens and paying them legal wages. Not only is it fueling social tension, it is also actively weakening our labor protection systems and eroding workers' hard-won rights.
In combating illegal migration, we are balancing our constitutional and international obligations with protecting national security.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) and Defense Forces are strengthening border security and combating illegal cross-border activity. We commend the BMA for successfully stopping approximately 450,000 people trying to enter South Africa illegally in the last financial year. As we strengthen our borders, we continue to reform our migration and citizenship framework.
We are increasing workplace enforcement against employers who hire undocumented foreign nationals in violation of labor and immigration laws. We announced in the Address to the Nation that we will hire 10,000 inspectors through the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure that our labor and immigration laws are followed. We continue to arrest and deport undocumented foreign nationals as required by the law, as we advance the fight against corruption within the immigration system.
This is a society-wide challenge in which the private sector and government must all play a constructive role. South African citizens who collude with undocumented foreign nationals in fraudulent marriages, the illegal sale of state-subsidized housing or accepting bribes to facilitate access to social services only deepen the problem. Many South Africans are exploited in undocumented labor in households and the informal sector.
As a country, we must reject efforts to damage our country's international reputation and undermine the solidarity that has defined South Africa's relations with the rest of Africa since the beginning of democracy.
Since 1994, we have actively promoted a culture of human rights, while also deepening the cause of African integration, cooperation and solidarity. We have a strong refugee protection framework that prioritizes the integration of persons displaced by conflict, war and persecution.
Refugees are not confined to camps, as is the case in some other countries. In South Africa, they are able to live in communities, participate in the economy, and access services such as health care and education.
South Africa is playing its role in deepening regional economic integration and travel. Last year alone, tourists from African countries accounted for more than 8 million of the total 10.5 million tourist arrivals.
South Africa makes significant investments in strengthening academic, cultural and institutional ties with the rest of Africa through hosting students and academics from Africa in our universities, through people-to-people exchanges and through our hosting of the Pan-African Parliament.
Our demonstrated commitment to deepening African integration and solidarity must not be diminished by criminal acts.
South Africa is not unique in facing pressures associated with undocumented migration. Many countries around the world, including Africa, are struggling with similar tensions. This requires cooperation and understanding between countries on the continent and beyond.
Like every other country in the world, we will continue to assert our sovereign right to regulate migration, secure our borders, and enforce our laws. We must make it clear that there is no room for xenophobia, ethnic mobilization, intolerance or violence in South Africa.
Everyone in South Africa is bound by the same laws and we are committed to ensuring that they are respected and supported by citizens and foreign nationals alike.
Best wishes,
Issued by the Presidency