April 27, 2026
South African President has issued a strong warning against xenophobia and mob justice, urging citizens to uphold the rule of law and remember the role fellow African nations played in securing the country’s freedom.
Speaking during the 2026 address in , Ramaphosa reflected on the solidarity African countries showed South Africa during the apartheid era, cautioning that such unity must not be repaid with hostility.
“It must never be that we trample the African fellowship that made our freedom possible,” the president said.
He acknowledged growing public concerns over illegal migration but stressed that such issues must not fuel hatred or violence against foreign nationals.
“We should never allow legitimate concerns about illegal migration to breed prejudice towards our fellow Africans,” he stated. “We must not allow these concerns to give rise to xenophobia.”
Ramaphosa also condemned acts of vigilante justice, warning citizens against taking enforcement into their own hands.
“You cannot take the law into your own hands. Don’t blame foreigners — follow the law,” he said firmly.
The president’s remarks come amid renewed reports of attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians, in parts of South Africa—raising concerns over safety and diplomatic tensions across the continent.
At the same time, Ramaphosa signalled a tougher stance on undocumented migration, revealing that authorities are intensifying enforcement efforts.
“We are clamping down on illegal migration and on businesses that employ undocumented workers,” he noted, adding that all actions would remain within legal boundaries.
Meanwhile, criticism has emerged from some quarters. A Nigerian human rights activist, , accused the South African government of failing to act decisively against rising xenophobic incidents.
The criticism follows reports of a troubling incident in which a Nigerian man and his son were allegedly denied access to a public facility despite presenting valid identification. In a video circulating online, a group of South African citizens confronted the man, questioning his right to be there.
“Are you immigration? You are not immigration. This is my ID, you have no right,” the man was heard saying as he defended his legal status.
Analysts say the situation highlights the delicate balance the South African government must maintain—addressing economic pressures and migration concerns while preventing violence and preserving long-standing ties with other African nations.
