South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, arguing that illegal migration is placing growing pressure on public services while warning against xenophobia and violence targeting foreign nationals.
This story is written and edited by Global South World
Speaking during a national address on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said migration could benefit the economy when properly managed but stressed that authorities must address illegal immigration.
“We need to deal with illegal migration,” he said. “We have seen how illegal immigration into our country can put pressure on our public services and undermine our efforts to create decent work for all.”
The president said the government was intensifying efforts to enforce immigration laws, including tougher action against employers who hire undocumented migrants, stronger border controls and measures to tackle corruption within the immigration system.
“We’re cracking down on violations of immigration laws,” Ramaphosa said. “We are increasing our inspections of workplaces and prosecuting employers who violate our labour laws. We are strengthening border security, stamping out corruption in the immigration system and closing the loopholes in fragmented immigration laws.”
At the same time, he urged South Africans not to target migrants or take the law into their own hands.
“We must never give in to violence, to xenophobia, and to vigilantism,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened debate over migration and public services in South Africa, where anti-immigrant sentiment has periodically flared in recent years.
According to Statistics South Africa and the Department of Home Affairs, foreign-born residents account for an estimated three to five percent of the country’s population, with most migrants originating from neighbouring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho.
This article was originally published by Global South World and is republished here with permission. View the original article.
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