Ramaphosa tells African leaders that South Africans are ashamed of the actions of anti-illegal migration movements
Ramaphosa remarked on the June 30 anti-illegal immigration marches.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed African leaders at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) public lecture in eThekwini, expressing South Africans' shame and concern over the ill-treatment of foreign nationals, particularly those from the diaspora. He emphasized that such actions tarnish the solidarity that forms the foundation of Southern Africa.
Ramaphosa stressed that criminal acts by a few individuals do not represent the collective spirit of the region and urged his audience to address this issue as a community. He highlighted that Southern Africa is a product of historical migrations, which have contributed to its diversity and vibrancy. To tackle illegal migration, Ramaphosa proposed that the SADC develop policies promoting integration and legal migration within the diaspora.
He called for joint efforts to ensure free movement within the region, governed by established principles and laws. The ANC, meanwhile, commended the Border Management Authority (BMA) for deporting over 89,000 illegal immigrants since June 2026. The party's communications manager, Mangaliso Khonza, noted that effective border management must align with African solidarity and sovereign responsibility to manage borders.
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