Ramaphosa says South Africa is ‘ashamed’ of attacks on foreign nationals

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep shame over attacks on foreign nationals within the country. Speaking at a university lecture in Durban, Ramaphosa condemned the discrimination, intimidation and violence faced by fellow Africans. He emphasized that South Africa cannot advocate for regional unity while individuals from neighboring nations endure mistreatment.

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to be concerned and ashamed that foreign nationals have been subjected to discrimination and ill-treatment in recent months. He criticized the criminal actions of a few as a betrayal of the solidarity that once defined the community. The president's remarks come amid heightened tensions over undocumented migration, with thousands of foreign nationals either leaving or being removed from South Africa in recent months.

In response to growing anti-foreigner sentiment, the government has intensified immigration enforcement, while protests led by the civic movement "March and March" have erupted throughout the country. Led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, the movement has demanded stronger government action and the expulsion of undocumented foreign nationals.

Ngobese-Zuma has vowed that protests will continue weekly until the government addresses the movement's demands.