‘There will be arrests’: Ramaphosa vows action against anti-migrant violence

President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged that arrests and charges would be made against those responsible for violence targeting African foreign nationals in South Africa. The President addressed this during an oral question session in Parliament on Tuesday, responding to EFF leader Julius Malema. Malema accused the perpetrators of violence against African immigrants of acting in the presence of police without being arrested, accusing them of creating an impression of state-sanctioned violence.

Ramaphosa assured that the police and other security agencies were actively investigating the instigators and gathering evidence. He stated that a number of people had already been arrested and that those identified as leading the violent acts would also face legal consequences. Ramaphosa emphasized the government's commitment to combating anti-migrant actions, stating that those who violate the law would face the consequences.

Malema's questions came amid concerns over the impact of anti-migrant actions on South Africa's standing on the continent. Ramaphosa assured that South Africa remained a respected member of the African community of nations and a principled Pan-African actor, rejecting xenophobia, afrophobia, vigilantism, and all forms of discrimination.

The President also discussed ongoing reforms to strengthen border management, address corruption within the immigration system, improve legal migration pathways, and implement the White Paper on Citizenship, Migration, and Refugee Protection. Ramaphosa rejected suggestions that South Africa was being isolated by other African countries, stating that International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola had been well received in several countries, including Ghana.